Wednesday, February 29, 2012
New Link
I added a link to the list of places you can find my stuff, and stuff over there on the right side of the page (don't forget to scroll down a ways).
When I joined the band I started a tumblr to act as a blog for the band's evolution. Of course, being the blogging obsessed nerd that I clearly am it quickly devolved into a more personal thing about me being in the band. I'm such a freakin' content whore.
Anyway, now that I'm not in the band anymore I have changed the focus to tracking any home recording projects I might saddle myself with. It starts with my first musical plan post-RPM which is finishing all of the unfinished songs that I have lying around from as far back as 2007. The task list includes 16 songs, two of which have actually been complete since the summer.
Most of the things I get into on the tumblr page will surely end up here too, but there will probably be more boring details there. Of course, I don't believe anyone but me ever looked at the page when it was focused on the band, and I highly doubt anyone will look at it now. I don't care.
When I joined the band I started a tumblr to act as a blog for the band's evolution. Of course, being the blogging obsessed nerd that I clearly am it quickly devolved into a more personal thing about me being in the band. I'm such a freakin' content whore.
Anyway, now that I'm not in the band anymore I have changed the focus to tracking any home recording projects I might saddle myself with. It starts with my first musical plan post-RPM which is finishing all of the unfinished songs that I have lying around from as far back as 2007. The task list includes 16 songs, two of which have actually been complete since the summer.
Most of the things I get into on the tumblr page will surely end up here too, but there will probably be more boring details there. Of course, I don't believe anyone but me ever looked at the page when it was focused on the band, and I highly doubt anyone will look at it now. I don't care.
Screw You, Mother Nature
Mother Nature is screwing with one of my favorite things of the year. Actually, that day was yesterday and I just forgot about it, but still... she's screwing with it today!
Yesterday was the first business day of 2012 in which the sun set after my work day ended. Granted, it was only a minute or so after, but it was still after! Today, however, the snow storm, which is starting to get ugly, will remove any of the last light from the sky and make it pitch dark when I leave my desk.
Thanks a ton, nature. You jerk.
Yesterday was the first business day of 2012 in which the sun set after my work day ended. Granted, it was only a minute or so after, but it was still after! Today, however, the snow storm, which is starting to get ugly, will remove any of the last light from the sky and make it pitch dark when I leave my desk.
Thanks a ton, nature. You jerk.
What the Hell, Bruins?
The Bruins lost to the Senators 1-0 last night. Their lead in the Northeast Division is now down to one point over those same Ottawa Senators. The Bruins were shutout FIVE TIMES in February.
What the hell, Bruins?
One of the things that sucks about being a music fan who is getting old is that most of the musicians I follow are getting even older. A couple of nights ago, King's X drummer Jerry Gaskill had a heart attack. King's X may be the top of my list of bands I haven't seen yet who I have to see before I (or they) die. I say that in jest, of course. Hopes for a speedy recovery. King's X is a guilty pleasure for me. When they are good they are unbelievably good. Stunningly good. When they are bad they're sort of okay, I guess. I feel like a hypocrite when I listen to them though as there are strong christian themes in most of their music and the very idea of christian rock music makes my stomach turn. Still, when they put out a new record I am usually one of the first in line to get it.
Could tonight be the first snowpocalypse of 2012? Yesterday morning the prediction was for a dusting tonight, and 4-6 inches by morning. Today the forecast is calling for 6-10 inches over all with both a nasty evening commute tonight and morning commute tomorrow. After last year's massive amounts of snow we have gotten off almost completely free this year (mother nature totally owes us after last year) with only a couple of small snow falls that melted almost immediately. This snow isn't going to stay around long either, but 10 inches on March 1st would suck just in principal. Say no to the snow.
What the hell, Bruins?
One of the things that sucks about being a music fan who is getting old is that most of the musicians I follow are getting even older. A couple of nights ago, King's X drummer Jerry Gaskill had a heart attack. King's X may be the top of my list of bands I haven't seen yet who I have to see before I (or they) die. I say that in jest, of course. Hopes for a speedy recovery. King's X is a guilty pleasure for me. When they are good they are unbelievably good. Stunningly good. When they are bad they're sort of okay, I guess. I feel like a hypocrite when I listen to them though as there are strong christian themes in most of their music and the very idea of christian rock music makes my stomach turn. Still, when they put out a new record I am usually one of the first in line to get it.
Could tonight be the first snowpocalypse of 2012? Yesterday morning the prediction was for a dusting tonight, and 4-6 inches by morning. Today the forecast is calling for 6-10 inches over all with both a nasty evening commute tonight and morning commute tomorrow. After last year's massive amounts of snow we have gotten off almost completely free this year (mother nature totally owes us after last year) with only a couple of small snow falls that melted almost immediately. This snow isn't going to stay around long either, but 10 inches on March 1st would suck just in principal. Say no to the snow.
Happy Leap Day
Here's something that's never been said on this page before:
Happy Leap Day!
From my point of view the only important thing about today is it's payday. Nice!
But to some people it is a huge day. To those people, those poor unfortunates who were born on February 29th and who are therefore legally not allowed to celebrate their birthday during non leap years, I say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I was born in 1971, a non leap year. The closest one to me was 2/29/72. Some one born that day would be 10 years old today. You little guys are almost ready for puberty! Awwwwww.
Happy Leap Day!
From my point of view the only important thing about today is it's payday. Nice!
But to some people it is a huge day. To those people, those poor unfortunates who were born on February 29th and who are therefore legally not allowed to celebrate their birthday during non leap years, I say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I was born in 1971, a non leap year. The closest one to me was 2/29/72. Some one born that day would be 10 years old today. You little guys are almost ready for puberty! Awwwwww.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Yet Another Stream
Yet another streaming version of this year's RPM album.
I still prefer everyone to listen at alonetone.com/robertjames1971, but this will do too.
At $0.25 a song, this one sells for $3.25. Or you can just take it from alonetone. That works too. While you're there you should listen to everyone else too. It's a great music making community. I'm really glad to be a part of it.
Bandcamp
Just for schnitzengiggles, I set up an account at bandcamp. I will put the Hurricanes Blow ep and the RPM album up and watch in wonder as no one ever buys either of them. The whole idea is silly. I set it for the name your own price option, with a minimum of $0.25 a song. What a deal! 1/4 the iTunes price. At Rob's bandcamp, our prices are INSANE!
I'm just testing some functions. Does this work?
I'm just testing some functions. Does this work?
Monday, February 27, 2012
NHL Trade Deadline
Today was the NHL's trade deadline. As trade deadlines go it was pretty uneventful. Boring, even. It seemed as though very few deals were made, and most of them looked pretty minor. The league standings are so bunched up right now that very few teams are out of the playoff race and willing to sell.
The Bruins made two moves, acquiring Brian Rolston, Mike Mottau, and Greg Zanon. Two depth forwards and a defense first defenseman, who is a shot blocking machine.
Mottau is a Boston College guy, and we all remember Rolston's glory days with the Bruins. I was royally pissed when the B's let him get away and I'm happy he's back, I just wish he weren't 67 years old. Zanon played for Minnesota, and used to play for Nashville. I know nothing about him except that he's blocked over 10000 shots this year. Mottau seems to be a 4th line type. He's missed significant time this season with a concussion so it remains to be seen how healthy he is at this time.
Interestingly, today also saw one Sami Pahlsson traded from Columbus to Vancouver. Why is that interesting to this Bruins fan?
12 years ago Boston traded Hall of Fame Hockey Godlike Legend Ray Bourque to Colorado for three players. Martin Grenier (sp?), who ended up spending most of his career in the minors and while playing for Hartford was arrested for urinating in public in downtown Lowell* was one. The other two? Brian Rolston and Sami Pahlsson. Ironic, eh?
*I am 95% sure the Market Street Leaker** was Grenier. I whole heartedly apologize to him if I am guilty of mistaken identity.
**I am 65% sure that the leaking offense took place on Market Street. Also, no one ever referred to the incident as The Market Street Leaking. I made that one up just now.
The Bruins made two moves, acquiring Brian Rolston, Mike Mottau, and Greg Zanon. Two depth forwards and a defense first defenseman, who is a shot blocking machine.
Mottau is a Boston College guy, and we all remember Rolston's glory days with the Bruins. I was royally pissed when the B's let him get away and I'm happy he's back, I just wish he weren't 67 years old. Zanon played for Minnesota, and used to play for Nashville. I know nothing about him except that he's blocked over 10000 shots this year. Mottau seems to be a 4th line type. He's missed significant time this season with a concussion so it remains to be seen how healthy he is at this time.
Interestingly, today also saw one Sami Pahlsson traded from Columbus to Vancouver. Why is that interesting to this Bruins fan?
12 years ago Boston traded Hall of Fame Hockey Godlike Legend Ray Bourque to Colorado for three players. Martin Grenier (sp?), who ended up spending most of his career in the minors and while playing for Hartford was arrested for urinating in public in downtown Lowell* was one. The other two? Brian Rolston and Sami Pahlsson. Ironic, eh?
*I am 95% sure the Market Street Leaker** was Grenier. I whole heartedly apologize to him if I am guilty of mistaken identity.
**I am 65% sure that the leaking offense took place on Market Street. Also, no one ever referred to the incident as The Market Street Leaking. I made that one up just now.
It's in the Mail
My crappy RPM CD is in the mail. I went over to the post office in Framingham at lunch today and sent it off. I'm not sure what comes next. There was a forum post on the RPM site saying that we'll also have to mail mp3s somewhere. Not sure why, but it's fine with me. I think there is also supposed to be a way to mark myself as finished on my profile. I'll figure it out. The package has a 2/27 postmark. It's on the road with two days to spare.
So now we can turn our attention to other things. Want to know what I did last night? I read a book! Can you believe it?
The NHL trade deadline is today at 3:00pm Eastern time. No hints at what the Bruins may or may not be doing, but they could seriously use a forward or two. One goal scorer and one defensive specialist would do. That would make up for Horton and Peverley. Their next game is Tuesday against Ottawa. Hopefully there will be some positive developments in the roster within the next 70 minutes that will help open a little distance between us and Ottawa in the standings. Hopefully. (Rick Nash??)
The Red Sox announced this weekend that they are banning beer on certain occasions. I think that is the funniest thing ever. They are telling a bunch of spoiled brat jock millionaires that they can't have beer.
Yeah, right.
RPM is over (for me)... now it's back to all of the other things that interest me.
So now we can turn our attention to other things. Want to know what I did last night? I read a book! Can you believe it?
The NHL trade deadline is today at 3:00pm Eastern time. No hints at what the Bruins may or may not be doing, but they could seriously use a forward or two. One goal scorer and one defensive specialist would do. That would make up for Horton and Peverley. Their next game is Tuesday against Ottawa. Hopefully there will be some positive developments in the roster within the next 70 minutes that will help open a little distance between us and Ottawa in the standings. Hopefully. (Rick Nash??)
The Red Sox announced this weekend that they are banning beer on certain occasions. I think that is the funniest thing ever. They are telling a bunch of spoiled brat jock millionaires that they can't have beer.
Yeah, right.
RPM is over (for me)... now it's back to all of the other things that interest me.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Now What?
The RPM CD I burned last night/this morning is in an addressed envelope, all sealed up and ready to be mailed. It's just waiting on a stamp. (snail mail, how quaint?)
Now what?
I've got all of this musical momentum and I need to find a place to direct it. I just quit my band, so it's not going there. I no longer have any interest in being in a band. That might change again somewhere down the road, but for know writing songs in the cellar and bombarding the poor unfortunate souls at alonetone is more than enough of an outlet for me.
Maybe I'll dig around and finish off all of the still unfinished songs from prior projects. There are two unfinished RPMs, a couple of songs from a couple of aborted National Solo Album Months. There are a couple of failed attempts at songfight.org submissions. There are also a few songs that just exist outside of other projects that could use a home upon completion.
I think that will be the next project. I'll do it on a mac and not on the iPad. The iPad was convenient, but things definitely sound better using GarageBand proper.
Yeah, I'll start chipping away at all of that stuff. That will be fun. I won't impose any deadlines though. I'll do it at a more leisurely, not-album-in-a-month pace.
After that there is always the 50/90 challenge. {gulp}
Now what?
I've got all of this musical momentum and I need to find a place to direct it. I just quit my band, so it's not going there. I no longer have any interest in being in a band. That might change again somewhere down the road, but for know writing songs in the cellar and bombarding the poor unfortunate souls at alonetone is more than enough of an outlet for me.
Maybe I'll dig around and finish off all of the still unfinished songs from prior projects. There are two unfinished RPMs, a couple of songs from a couple of aborted National Solo Album Months. There are a couple of failed attempts at songfight.org submissions. There are also a few songs that just exist outside of other projects that could use a home upon completion.
I think that will be the next project. I'll do it on a mac and not on the iPad. The iPad was convenient, but things definitely sound better using GarageBand proper.
Yeah, I'll start chipping away at all of that stuff. That will be fun. I won't impose any deadlines though. I'll do it at a more leisurely, not-album-in-a-month pace.
After that there is always the 50/90 challenge. {gulp}
FINISHED!!!
I finished! It's done! After failing to finish an RPM Challenge on time in four attempts between 2008 and 2011 (2007 I didn't actually try the album-in-a-month thing until April, so that doesn't count) I have finally finished one on time!
I dropped two songs. One because it sucked, and one because it didn't come out very good. I'm sad about that one because it was the only lovey song in the bunch, and because it was full of saxophone, but it really didn't stand up to the others. That's saying something given how bad the others are!
Here is the playlist from alonetone.com
Here is the playlist from soundcloud.com
Showdown at Canobie Lake Park (2012 RPM Challenge) by Robertjames1971
I greatly prefer alonetone as the community there is fantastic. The embedded playlist from soundcloud might work better though, and it probably looks better too.
All that's left to do is burn the CD, print out the cheesy front/back covers I made, and mail it off to RPM headquarters. I can do all of that on Sunday and be finished with three days to spare.
All that's left after that is...
What writing/recording project do I work on next?
I dropped two songs. One because it sucked, and one because it didn't come out very good. I'm sad about that one because it was the only lovey song in the bunch, and because it was full of saxophone, but it really didn't stand up to the others. That's saying something given how bad the others are!
Here is the playlist from alonetone.com
Here is the playlist from soundcloud.com
Showdown at Canobie Lake Park (2012 RPM Challenge) by Robertjames1971
I greatly prefer alonetone as the community there is fantastic. The embedded playlist from soundcloud might work better though, and it probably looks better too.
All that's left to do is burn the CD, print out the cheesy front/back covers I made, and mail it off to RPM headquarters. I can do all of that on Sunday and be finished with three days to spare.
All that's left after that is...
What writing/recording project do I work on next?
Saturday, February 25, 2012
5.1
We went to Best Buy today. Before we walked in the door my beloved wife made the following statement:
We are not leaving this store without a surround sound system.
Now a few hours later, the four of us are sitting in the living room watching Star Wars on blu ray with the audio cranking out of our new sound system.
Awesome.
I can't wait to listen to the 5.1 mix of Moving Pictures. I guess it also means that I need to pick up the Sector box sets for the 5.1 mixes of Fly By Night, A Farewell to Kings, and Signals.
Rush in surround sound, for the win.
We are not leaving this store without a surround sound system.
Now a few hours later, the four of us are sitting in the living room watching Star Wars on blu ray with the audio cranking out of our new sound system.
Awesome.
I can't wait to listen to the 5.1 mix of Moving Pictures. I guess it also means that I need to pick up the Sector box sets for the 5.1 mixes of Fly By Night, A Farewell to Kings, and Signals.
Rush in surround sound, for the win.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Increased Obsession
I am getting more and more obsessed with RPM as each day moves on. What the hell am I going to do on March 1st?
Anyway, as stated, last night's two songs bring me to 10 which is the goal for the project. I think I'm up around 39 minutes which is also above the goal for the project. I do not have everything finished yet, and there are at least two more that I am optimistic will end up on the A list. But lets forget about the A/B/C list scenario for now. If I had to mail in today, what would the track list be?
I would think this:
Debut
The Day it All Went to Pieces
Fight or Flight?
Showdown at Canobie Lake Park
Heartland Denies the Obvious Truth
Ready for It
RPM Blues
Where My Heart Lives
Throw Away
Quiet Lazy Song
There are two schools of thought regarding sequencing a demo/album like this. If it is a demo (which this definitely is) then it should be ordered from best song to worst song with the best song first. That way it's front loaded with all of your best stuff. You don't want to make the listener wait for the good parts, just bash him/her over the head right away. The other idea is to have it flow. Don't put two heavy songs next to each other, and don't put two slow songs next to each other, and don't put two soft songs next to each other, and yadda yadda.
In this case I did both. 1-5 are what I feel are the strongest songs. 6-10 are weaker songs but arranged so two like feels are not together.
Another method for sequencing tracks is to use the Derek and the Dominoes method. The Layla album is ordered from the first song they worked on to the last song they worked on. That's it. My three RPM failures, when finally completed, all follow that method. Unfortunately this time I'm not sure what the original order was. Garageband for iPad gives each song a name, "My Song X" where X is a number. When I started I had some old stuff that I didn't want to keep. After a few songs were underway I deleted the unwanted songs. At that point the files were named starting at 1. I can't remember which song I actually did first. Was it My Song 2 or My Song 3? I can't remember. Who cares. I'm having way too much fun with this dumb project to worry about crap like that.
Hopefully there will be more completes tonight!
WOOHOO!
Anyway, as stated, last night's two songs bring me to 10 which is the goal for the project. I think I'm up around 39 minutes which is also above the goal for the project. I do not have everything finished yet, and there are at least two more that I am optimistic will end up on the A list. But lets forget about the A/B/C list scenario for now. If I had to mail in today, what would the track list be?
I would think this:
Debut
The Day it All Went to Pieces
Fight or Flight?
Showdown at Canobie Lake Park
Heartland Denies the Obvious Truth
Ready for It
RPM Blues
Where My Heart Lives
Throw Away
Quiet Lazy Song
There are two schools of thought regarding sequencing a demo/album like this. If it is a demo (which this definitely is) then it should be ordered from best song to worst song with the best song first. That way it's front loaded with all of your best stuff. You don't want to make the listener wait for the good parts, just bash him/her over the head right away. The other idea is to have it flow. Don't put two heavy songs next to each other, and don't put two slow songs next to each other, and don't put two soft songs next to each other, and yadda yadda.
In this case I did both. 1-5 are what I feel are the strongest songs. 6-10 are weaker songs but arranged so two like feels are not together.
Another method for sequencing tracks is to use the Derek and the Dominoes method. The Layla album is ordered from the first song they worked on to the last song they worked on. That's it. My three RPM failures, when finally completed, all follow that method. Unfortunately this time I'm not sure what the original order was. Garageband for iPad gives each song a name, "My Song X" where X is a number. When I started I had some old stuff that I didn't want to keep. After a few songs were underway I deleted the unwanted songs. At that point the files were named starting at 1. I can't remember which song I actually did first. Was it My Song 2 or My Song 3? I can't remember. Who cares. I'm having way too much fun with this dumb project to worry about crap like that.
Hopefully there will be more completes tonight!
WOOHOO!
Snow and Stuff
It was snowing a minute ago. While I was walking into the building this morning I saw the biggest snow flake ever. I swear it was half an inch in diameter. It was a hugh-munga snow flake.
Of course the temperature is in the high 30's, low 40's on the old Fahrenheit scale so no snow is going to be sticking around today.
Note to adobe acrobate reader. When I click to open a file, that is not the same thing as asking to print it. Print != Open. Just saying.
I waited until everyone was sound asleep last night and then I snuck into the cellar and finished two more songs. That's 10, kids. I could mail in a finished album to RPM headquarters right now if I wanted to. I've still got five more to finish. Hopefully by Monday I'll be mailing a sucker in. Hopefully.
The Bruins beat the Blues the other night, despite blowing an early 2-0 lead. The game was in St Louis where the Blues have been dominant, and we beat them. Brad Marchand scored twice. It was a good game against a good team. Tonight we play in Buffalo. Buffalo is not a good team. We tend to play down to our opponent. Hopefully tonight they will correct that problem and stomp all over the Sabers.
Go Bruins
Of course the temperature is in the high 30's, low 40's on the old Fahrenheit scale so no snow is going to be sticking around today.
Note to adobe acrobate reader. When I click to open a file, that is not the same thing as asking to print it. Print != Open. Just saying.
I waited until everyone was sound asleep last night and then I snuck into the cellar and finished two more songs. That's 10, kids. I could mail in a finished album to RPM headquarters right now if I wanted to. I've still got five more to finish. Hopefully by Monday I'll be mailing a sucker in. Hopefully.
The Bruins beat the Blues the other night, despite blowing an early 2-0 lead. The game was in St Louis where the Blues have been dominant, and we beat them. Brad Marchand scored twice. It was a good game against a good team. Tonight we play in Buffalo. Buffalo is not a good team. We tend to play down to our opponent. Hopefully tonight they will correct that problem and stomp all over the Sabers.
Go Bruins
Thursday, February 23, 2012
A List/B List/C List
So FAWM requires 14.5 songs (translating into English, that is 15 songs) and RPM requires 10. That represents a luxury I am not used to having on these silly album projects. I will have more songs available than I actually need. That means I can skip over those that I don't like, and hopefully the complete album is the better for it.
There are eight songs completely finished right now. I've been listening to them in the car on the way to and from work. None of them are very good, and at least one is absolutely horrible, but they are starting to fall into three different categories in my tiny little mind. One category (let's call it the A List) is songs that I will definitely include on the final album. Another, (let's call it the B List, are you seeing the pattern?) is songs that aren't as good, but aren't awful and could be used on the final album, although in a perfect world I'd drop them. The final category (C List maybe?) is songs that utterly suck and won't be going anywhere... either that or they are the ones that don't sound they way I had originally envisioned them.
A List
The Day it all Went to Pieces
Debut (As of right now this might end up as track one)
Showdown at Canobie Lake Park (As of right now this will be the album's title song)
Heartland Denies the Obvious Truth
B List
Ready for It
RPM Blues
C List
Where My Heart Lives (This one waffles between the B and C Lists, but as of right now it's a C)
Throw Away (This song is horrible)
I'll add to this as more songs are finished. I highly doubt I'll end up with 10 A List songs, and even if I do I might throw on the B List anyway. Who knows?
Also, assuming the album keeps the current title of Showdown at Canobie Lake Park, which do you think would make a better cover?
or
I'm leaning toward the first one. They just happen to be the only pictures of Canobie Lake Park that I have that don't include the kids. I might drive past the front gate tomorrow and take a camera phone picture there. We'll see.
There are eight songs completely finished right now. I've been listening to them in the car on the way to and from work. None of them are very good, and at least one is absolutely horrible, but they are starting to fall into three different categories in my tiny little mind. One category (let's call it the A List) is songs that I will definitely include on the final album. Another, (let's call it the B List, are you seeing the pattern?) is songs that aren't as good, but aren't awful and could be used on the final album, although in a perfect world I'd drop them. The final category (C List maybe?) is songs that utterly suck and won't be going anywhere... either that or they are the ones that don't sound they way I had originally envisioned them.
A List
The Day it all Went to Pieces
Debut (As of right now this might end up as track one)
Showdown at Canobie Lake Park (As of right now this will be the album's title song)
Heartland Denies the Obvious Truth
B List
Ready for It
RPM Blues
C List
Where My Heart Lives (This one waffles between the B and C Lists, but as of right now it's a C)
Throw Away (This song is horrible)
I'll add to this as more songs are finished. I highly doubt I'll end up with 10 A List songs, and even if I do I might throw on the B List anyway. Who knows?
Also, assuming the album keeps the current title of Showdown at Canobie Lake Park, which do you think would make a better cover?
or
I'm leaning toward the first one. They just happen to be the only pictures of Canobie Lake Park that I have that don't include the kids. I might drive past the front gate tomorrow and take a camera phone picture there. We'll see.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
More Progress
I finished two more songs tonight. They should be available in the RPM player I posted this morning. One of them is relatively decent. The other is one of, if not the, worst songs I've ever written. I knew it was awful the minute I started messing with it, and normally I would have scratched it, but this is February and all ideas must be pursued in order to get to the album-in-a-month goal. As of now it is part of the album, but once I top the 10 song mark it will be the first one dropped.
Things You Take for Granted
Sometimes when you've lived a few decades you start to take little things for granted without realizing it. I learned of one such thing tonight.
I have this little boom box in the cellar. It's a CD/cassette/AM/FM deal with little maybe 3 or 4 inch speakers. If memory serves I bought it in maybe 1998 or so.
Tonight my step son and I went down cellar to watch the Bruins while the girls stayed upstairs watching Survivor. He saw the boom box and got really into it. I figured it was probably his first tape player and he was curious about that. He asked to play a tape, but I don't have any in the house. That wasn't the big deal though.
Much to my surprise, it was the radio that grabbed him. I had to talk him through how to turn it on and tune it, and after a few seconds of fiddling he found the Bruins game.
He went NUTS! He was so excited! He cranked up the volume and literally dashed up the stairs to tell his mother all about it.
It was so funny. I never would have imagined that something as silly as tuning a radio could light him up like that, but why not? He's probably never dealt with a tuner outside of a car or his iPod nano, and I don't expect he's ever actually played with one in a car, and I don't think he's gotten around to the tuner in his iPod.
Knowing how to use a radio is something I took for granted. My step son taught me different and showed me how cool it can be.
I absolutely love being a step dad.
I have this little boom box in the cellar. It's a CD/cassette/AM/FM deal with little maybe 3 or 4 inch speakers. If memory serves I bought it in maybe 1998 or so.
Tonight my step son and I went down cellar to watch the Bruins while the girls stayed upstairs watching Survivor. He saw the boom box and got really into it. I figured it was probably his first tape player and he was curious about that. He asked to play a tape, but I don't have any in the house. That wasn't the big deal though.
Much to my surprise, it was the radio that grabbed him. I had to talk him through how to turn it on and tune it, and after a few seconds of fiddling he found the Bruins game.
He went NUTS! He was so excited! He cranked up the volume and literally dashed up the stairs to tell his mother all about it.
It was so funny. I never would have imagined that something as silly as tuning a radio could light him up like that, but why not? He's probably never dealt with a tuner outside of a car or his iPod nano, and I don't expect he's ever actually played with one in a car, and I don't think he's gotten around to the tuner in his iPod.
Knowing how to use a radio is something I took for granted. My step son taught me different and showed me how cool it can be.
I absolutely love being a step dad.
Music Stuff
Here's the demo player from my RPM account:
Now you that the four new songs are posted here you can continue to not listen to them by choice. hehe Just kidding.
Oh, and I quit my band today. I feel like a tool for missing out on so much family time. At some point in the near future the kids aren't going to want me around at all. Maybe when that day comes I'll try starting another band.
robertjames1971's player:
Now you that the four new songs are posted here you can continue to not listen to them by choice. hehe Just kidding.
Oh, and I quit my band today. I feel like a tool for missing out on so much family time. At some point in the near future the kids aren't going to want me around at all. Maybe when that day comes I'll try starting another band.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
More Progress
I've no doubt that I'm the only person alive who gives a shit about any of this but...
More big RPM progress today. Two more songs written, including vocals. That brings me up to my goal of 15. I also recorded acoustic guitar on a couple of songs, and added saxophone solos to two as well. After 15-20 minutes worth of noodling on the sax my jaw and my lips were pretty much dead to me, and I had a major headache.
Still, I pressed on and managed to finish four more songs. That brings the done-count to six. Eight more to go.
I'm starting to think a little about an official RPM CD. Part of the project is supposed to be mailing a finished disc into RPM headquarters in Portsmouth. I've never wanted to do that at all. Just posting it to alonetone was enough for me. This year there is an actual risk of finishing on time though.
If I do put together a CD it probably won't have all 15 songs on it. There are at least three (including one I finished today) that are much lamer than my usual lame. I'll post them to alonetone, but if I mail in a disc I will leave them off.
I need to start thinking about cover art too. Damn, it's weird being way ahead of schedule!
More big RPM progress today. Two more songs written, including vocals. That brings me up to my goal of 15. I also recorded acoustic guitar on a couple of songs, and added saxophone solos to two as well. After 15-20 minutes worth of noodling on the sax my jaw and my lips were pretty much dead to me, and I had a major headache.
Still, I pressed on and managed to finish four more songs. That brings the done-count to six. Eight more to go.
I'm starting to think a little about an official RPM CD. Part of the project is supposed to be mailing a finished disc into RPM headquarters in Portsmouth. I've never wanted to do that at all. Just posting it to alonetone was enough for me. This year there is an actual risk of finishing on time though.
If I do put together a CD it probably won't have all 15 songs on it. There are at least three (including one I finished today) that are much lamer than my usual lame. I'll post them to alonetone, but if I mail in a disc I will leave them off.
I need to start thinking about cover art too. Damn, it's weird being way ahead of schedule!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Wow
I didn't know I had it in me. Well, I don't but that's beside the point.
I started the day with 11 songs needing lyrics, melodies, and recorded vocals. By about 2:45 all 11 were done.
Granted I blew through them all so fast that the melodies are at best interchangeable and at worst identical. That's no different than any other songs I've ever written though. Also, digital editing played a big part in the speed of completion. It's nice to sing a part once and then use it in three different places.
But still, all 11 songs have vocals! I didn't think I'd be able to pull that off.
So tomorrow's plan is a couple of new songs, including vocals, a couple of acoustic guitars, and a couple of small sax parts (egad!). Basically, anything that requires a microphone. After that it's electric guitars through my headphone amp.
Might I be able to finish on time this year? Did I just jinx myself?
I started the day with 11 songs needing lyrics, melodies, and recorded vocals. By about 2:45 all 11 were done.
Granted I blew through them all so fast that the melodies are at best interchangeable and at worst identical. That's no different than any other songs I've ever written though. Also, digital editing played a big part in the speed of completion. It's nice to sing a part once and then use it in three different places.
But still, all 11 songs have vocals! I didn't think I'd be able to pull that off.
So tomorrow's plan is a couple of new songs, including vocals, a couple of acoustic guitars, and a couple of small sax parts (egad!). Basically, anything that requires a microphone. After that it's electric guitars through my headphone amp.
Might I be able to finish on time this year? Did I just jinx myself?
On track
Big music push today. Must avoid distractions. I have the house to myself until 3:00, so I can make as much noise as I need to.
I have two songs finished, 11 more in progress, and I want to add two more if I can. I need a total of 10 finished for RPM, and 14.5 (aka 15) for FAWM.
I need to make MAJOR progress today.
I have two songs finished, 11 more in progress, and I want to add two more if I can. I need a total of 10 finished for RPM, and 14.5 (aka 15) for FAWM.
I need to make MAJOR progress today.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Big News
The biggest news of the day, besides the new bed finally being finished, is that Red Sox pitchers and catchers officially report for spring training today!
Baseball season is almost here!
Baseball season is almost here!
IKEA FYI
Here's an FYI to IKEA shoppers:
If you buy a full, queen, or king size bed, the center slat that holds the mattress from caving in in the middle is included in the price, but not in the package. Apparently the big sign reading box 3/3 actually means 3/4.
So back to IKEA we go.
Jerks.
If you buy a full, queen, or king size bed, the center slat that holds the mattress from caving in in the middle is included in the price, but not in the package. Apparently the big sign reading box 3/3 actually means 3/4.
So back to IKEA we go.
Jerks.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Theft
We are in the IKEA warehouse and someone just walked off with our cart.
What kind of piece of shit does that?
What kind of piece of shit does that?
Testing
I bet you folks are gonna be really pleased when February ends.
I added yesterday's two songs to my RPM demo player and I just wanted to test out the embed tags. Sorry.
I added yesterday's two songs to my RPM demo player and I just wanted to test out the embed tags. Sorry.
robertjames1971's player:
Saturday Plans
I had hoped to get up this morning and track some guitars, but instead we talked about going to IKEA to browse for a couple of things. In order to do that I had to prepare our van for the off chance that something gets purchased. That took a while and sucked the drive out of me (no pun intended). Our van was messy, and the damn middle seat just didn't want to come out. Dumb, stupid middle seat.
Anyway, maybe we'll get to some music tonight. In the mean time I think I might sack out for a couple of hours watching a Star Trek movie on blu ray. How does First Contact sound? Sounds good.
Anyway, maybe we'll get to some music tonight. In the mean time I think I might sack out for a couple of hours watching a Star Trek movie on blu ray. How does First Contact sound? Sounds good.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Two New Songs
Two of the new songs are done. I am 20% finished with the RPM Challenge. I was going to only work on vocals today but I figured I'd stick with a song until it's done. Two down, at least eight (but hopefully 13) still to go.
RPM/FAWM Work in Progress by Robertjames1971
RPM/FAWM Work in Progress by Robertjames1971
Weekendy Goodness
I'm on a five day weekend. If I can't get the vocals done for RPM this weekend then they ain't never getting done.
Five day weekend: FTW!
Five day weekend: FTW!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The Bruins Need a Winning Streak
I'm worried about the Bruins. I have been for a few weeks now.
They just don't look all that good. Not as bad as October, but still infinitely worse than November and December. They play like a bored .500 team, not like Stanley Cup contenders. It's almost like they expect to be able to turn it on when they need it, but they needed it two nights ago against New York and got shut out 3-0. They have an alarming tendency to tank against bad teams. The majority of their losses have come to teams with sub .500 records. Last night they beat a bad Montreal team, but they blew a 3-1 lead in the third period and needed a shoot out to win the game. The third period is supposed to be when they dominate. Not so last night.
Now to make matters worse, we're seeing injuries pop up. Nathan Horton was supposed to be out with a mild concussion, but that was weeks ago and now they are talking about him possibly being out for a long time. He did not join the team on the six game road trip that started last night. I'm starting to get nervous that the mild concussion is much more serious than they told us. What if it's Crosby-esque and he's out for months? Add to that Rich Peverley leaving the game in the third last night after a knee on knee hit from former Bruin, and runner up in the tallest guy in the league race to Zdeno Chara, Hal Gill. Who knows how long he'll be out. Hopefully not long, but what if it turns out to be weeks? We need these guys.
The trade deadline is in a couple of weeks. Do we now have to fill Horton and Peverley's rolls as well as fill the holes we had prior to the injuries? Do we have anyone in the farm system who can either come up and help or be used as trade bait? The answer to that one is no. A big resounding no. The depth that management has raved about in recent years appears to have disappeared.
Rick Nash is supposed to be available for trade. Do we go all out to get him? Do we have the assets that Columbus will demand in return for him? Will his salary handcuff us cap wise?
So many questions. So few answers. I'm nervous. November was so dominant that we all said they could coast through the remaining games and still finish in a good playoff spot. That may be true, but the confidence has taken a huge hit and it may not matter if we can't get things straight before April.
Go Bruins... please!
They just don't look all that good. Not as bad as October, but still infinitely worse than November and December. They play like a bored .500 team, not like Stanley Cup contenders. It's almost like they expect to be able to turn it on when they need it, but they needed it two nights ago against New York and got shut out 3-0. They have an alarming tendency to tank against bad teams. The majority of their losses have come to teams with sub .500 records. Last night they beat a bad Montreal team, but they blew a 3-1 lead in the third period and needed a shoot out to win the game. The third period is supposed to be when they dominate. Not so last night.
Now to make matters worse, we're seeing injuries pop up. Nathan Horton was supposed to be out with a mild concussion, but that was weeks ago and now they are talking about him possibly being out for a long time. He did not join the team on the six game road trip that started last night. I'm starting to get nervous that the mild concussion is much more serious than they told us. What if it's Crosby-esque and he's out for months? Add to that Rich Peverley leaving the game in the third last night after a knee on knee hit from former Bruin, and runner up in the tallest guy in the league race to Zdeno Chara, Hal Gill. Who knows how long he'll be out. Hopefully not long, but what if it turns out to be weeks? We need these guys.
The trade deadline is in a couple of weeks. Do we now have to fill Horton and Peverley's rolls as well as fill the holes we had prior to the injuries? Do we have anyone in the farm system who can either come up and help or be used as trade bait? The answer to that one is no. A big resounding no. The depth that management has raved about in recent years appears to have disappeared.
Rick Nash is supposed to be available for trade. Do we go all out to get him? Do we have the assets that Columbus will demand in return for him? Will his salary handcuff us cap wise?
So many questions. So few answers. I'm nervous. November was so dominant that we all said they could coast through the remaining games and still finish in a good playoff spot. That may be true, but the confidence has taken a huge hit and it may not matter if we can't get things straight before April.
Go Bruins... please!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Vow of Poverty
I'm trying to explain the concept of a vow of poverty to my step son. (in terms of Jedi Knights) He's having a tough time with it.
His exact words were, "That's stupid!"
That-a-boy!
His exact words were, "That's stupid!"
That-a-boy!
Forgive My Goofiness
Please forgive me for this one. I'm a little giddy.
My RPM Challenge this year has been done entirely on my iPad. I started the 10th song last night. Everything so far is just drums, bass, and keyboard parts played using the built in iPad instruments. The big question for me was, will I be able to successfully record my guitar and voice?
As of this morning the answer looks to be yes.
I bought a Jam iPad audio input the other day and this morning before work I took it for a test drive. My headphone amp was already running through my mixing board so I just plugged the mono out from the board into the Jam and then plugged the guitar into the headphone amp (without bothering to actually tune it first) and crossed my fingers.
It worked.
I was able to record a guitar part for each sub-section of the song. This years project can now officially continue.
RPM 2012 Work in Progess #8 by Robertjames1971
My RPM Challenge this year has been done entirely on my iPad. I started the 10th song last night. Everything so far is just drums, bass, and keyboard parts played using the built in iPad instruments. The big question for me was, will I be able to successfully record my guitar and voice?
As of this morning the answer looks to be yes.
I bought a Jam iPad audio input the other day and this morning before work I took it for a test drive. My headphone amp was already running through my mixing board so I just plugged the mono out from the board into the Jam and then plugged the guitar into the headphone amp (without bothering to actually tune it first) and crossed my fingers.
It worked.
I was able to record a guitar part for each sub-section of the song. This years project can now officially continue.
RPM 2012 Work in Progess #8 by Robertjames1971
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Jeff Beck's Guitars
Jeff Beck, showing up some of his guitars.
Just listening to him noodle is unbelievable.
Just listening to him noodle is unbelievable.
Happy Valentines Day
Every now and then I mention a series of events that my friends and I put on called Game Night. That's where a group of us get together and use playing board games as an excuse to visit with everyone. Game Nights weren't always game nights though. The original version of was an annual event called Anti-Valentines Day. At the time we were all single, and two of us had just gone through painful break ups. Anti-Valentines Day was meant to be a symbolic flipping off of all the happy couples in the world and it was celebrated at a bowling ally. We'd bowl a few strings and revel in the fact that we weren't among those lame couples celebrating a make-believe holiday.
That's all in the past now. Those days are long gone for me.
All I want to do today is hold my wife's hand and smooch her and be mushy and let everyone on Earth know that I am head over heels in love with the most beautiful, charming, sweet, witty, brilliant woman alive. Just the fact that she keeps me around is proof that I am the luckiest son of a bitch who's ever lived, and the fact that she actually married me just blows my freakin' mind.
I love you Jennifer,and I am so happy that you are my Valentine and I want the whole universe to know it.
Happy Valentines Day
That's all in the past now. Those days are long gone for me.
All I want to do today is hold my wife's hand and smooch her and be mushy and let everyone on Earth know that I am head over heels in love with the most beautiful, charming, sweet, witty, brilliant woman alive. Just the fact that she keeps me around is proof that I am the luckiest son of a bitch who's ever lived, and the fact that she actually married me just blows my freakin' mind.
I love you Jennifer,and I am so happy that you are my Valentine and I want the whole universe to know it.
Happy Valentines Day
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Bachelor
My wife is enjoying the show The Bachelor this season.
How is the show not prostitution?
Just wondering.
How is the show not prostitution?
Just wondering.
The Tyranny of the Bathroom Scale
Two weeks ago I started seriously trying to lose weight. That first morning I stepped on the scale in the bathroom and wrote down the value it displayed. The scale has a history of inaccuracies so I took two precautions. First, I weighed myself twice and made sure that the value was the same both times. Second, I assumed that the value was totally wrong and kept myself from getting worked up about it. I just want to keep track of the overall trend, even though I know the figures are probably off.
One week later I stepped on the scale (twice) again. The scale said I had lost weight in those first seven days. It actually said I had lost 16.6 pounds. Yeah, right. In seven days I had lost 16.6 pounds. I mean, I did get a haircut in that time so maybe it's close, but 16.6 is just silly.
I stepped on the scale again today (twice). The scale said I had gained 8.8 pounds over the second seven days, but lost 7.8 overall. That's probably close to accurate as I tend to drop off a lot of weight really fast, and then level out after a few weeks.
Still, it's not something I am going to focus on. The current value is less than the original value. The overall trend is downward. That makes me happy.
Of course, I forgot my slim fast breakfast and lunch at home this morning. I'm going to have to get lunch at the cafeteria. Not a good start to week three.
One week later I stepped on the scale (twice) again. The scale said I had lost weight in those first seven days. It actually said I had lost 16.6 pounds. Yeah, right. In seven days I had lost 16.6 pounds. I mean, I did get a haircut in that time so maybe it's close, but 16.6 is just silly.
I stepped on the scale again today (twice). The scale said I had gained 8.8 pounds over the second seven days, but lost 7.8 overall. That's probably close to accurate as I tend to drop off a lot of weight really fast, and then level out after a few weeks.
Still, it's not something I am going to focus on. The current value is less than the original value. The overall trend is downward. That makes me happy.
Of course, I forgot my slim fast breakfast and lunch at home this morning. I'm going to have to get lunch at the cafeteria. Not a good start to week three.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Hell
My wife is browsing the iTunes store and torturing me by playing We Built This City by Starship. I tried to fight back with Jefferson Starship's Ride the Tiger and Jefferson Airplane's The Ballad of You and Me and Pooneil, but it's a losing battle when her Mac fights my iPad.
In keeping with the theme of the weekend, I just put on Star Wars Episode III. When it's done my step son and I will have watched all three prequels in just over 24 hours.
Awesome!
In keeping with the theme of the weekend, I just put on Star Wars Episode III. When it's done my step son and I will have watched all three prequels in just over 24 hours.
Awesome!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Star Wars Episode I in 3D
My step son and I saw Episode I in 3D today. The 3D effect was really well done. It was subtle. There wasn't any goofiness with things popping out of the screen at you. It just provided some additional depth that was pretty cool.
The movie is still far and away the worst of the six Star Wars flicks, but as I often say, bad Star Wars is still better than just about anything else.
After seeing it 50 times on the small screen the crappy parts of the story start popping out and over power everything else. Seeing it on the big screen has the opposite effect. Except for every single shot of Jar Jar. In the theater, Episode I is a good time.
The movie is still far and away the worst of the six Star Wars flicks, but as I often say, bad Star Wars is still better than just about anything else.
After seeing it 50 times on the small screen the crappy parts of the story start popping out and over power everything else. Seeing it on the big screen has the opposite effect. Except for every single shot of Jar Jar. In the theater, Episode I is a good time.
Truck Day
Today is a huge day. Today marks the official start of the Boston Red Sox redemption. Last season's collapse was epic. The new season offers a chance to wipe the pain away.
Today is truck day. The day that the Red Sox load up their trucks with all of the equipment needed for spring training and start rolling for Florida.
John Lester has already reported to camp. Spring training is imminent!
Go Red Sox!
Today is truck day. The day that the Red Sox load up their trucks with all of the equipment needed for spring training and start rolling for Florida.
John Lester has already reported to camp. Spring training is imminent!
Go Red Sox!
Bullet Dodged?
We haven't had any real snow at all this winter. It's been so warm that what we have gotten has been gone within a day or two.
The forecast called for 4 inches over night. We didn't get anything. Now they are saying we will get an inch of slush today.
Bullet dodged.
After last year's twice-a-week blizzards, we've earned a winter off.
The forecast called for 4 inches over night. We didn't get anything. Now they are saying we will get an inch of slush today.
Bullet dodged.
After last year's twice-a-week blizzards, we've earned a winter off.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Weekend Plans
What's on the agenda for the weekend?
Piano lessons, Star Wars, snow, band practice, spending time with my family.
Sounds perfect.
I didn't do any musical work last night. I did laundry and started watching Downfall. You know that meme we had a few years ago with Adolf Hitler freaking out over things like Michael Jackson's death and what not? Hitler throwing a tantrum over pop-culture crap? Downfall is the movie that scene is taken from. It's intense. It's also in German. I had to stop watching less than half way through last night because my eyes were getting heavy and I couldn't read the subtitles fast enough. I'll try to watch the rest tonight.
The Bruins play tomorrow and apparently Tim Thomas is too dumb to realize that by taking a job as a public figure, such as a professional athlete, you sacrifice a great deal of your privacy. He also apparently believes that the 5th amendment covers hockey locker room interviews. That's all I'm saying on this. As for the Bruins playing tomorrow, they play a good team so they shouldn't play down to the competition the way they did against the Sabers Wednesday night (they played waaaaay down to the Sabers and got the shit kicked out of them 6-0) so we can hope they'll put up more of an effort. Unfortunately the game is a Saturday matinee so they are clearly going to lose, regardless of their effort.
Oh well, I'll be at the movies watching Star Wars Episode I in 3D. It'll be awful. I'll tell you all about it.
Piano lessons, Star Wars, snow, band practice, spending time with my family.
Sounds perfect.
I didn't do any musical work last night. I did laundry and started watching Downfall. You know that meme we had a few years ago with Adolf Hitler freaking out over things like Michael Jackson's death and what not? Hitler throwing a tantrum over pop-culture crap? Downfall is the movie that scene is taken from. It's intense. It's also in German. I had to stop watching less than half way through last night because my eyes were getting heavy and I couldn't read the subtitles fast enough. I'll try to watch the rest tonight.
The Bruins play tomorrow and apparently Tim Thomas is too dumb to realize that by taking a job as a public figure, such as a professional athlete, you sacrifice a great deal of your privacy. He also apparently believes that the 5th amendment covers hockey locker room interviews. That's all I'm saying on this. As for the Bruins playing tomorrow, they play a good team so they shouldn't play down to the competition the way they did against the Sabers Wednesday night (they played waaaaay down to the Sabers and got the shit kicked out of them 6-0) so we can hope they'll put up more of an effort. Unfortunately the game is a Saturday matinee so they are clearly going to lose, regardless of their effort.
Oh well, I'll be at the movies watching Star Wars Episode I in 3D. It'll be awful. I'll tell you all about it.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Unnecessary
Some things in life are necessary. Something's aren't. An example of something that is necessary is oxygen. Yeah, we need that, you know?
One thing that is totally unnecessary is Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace in 3D. I mean, really... Is there a point? No. It's a sad money grub, that is all.
Having said that: my step son and I are going to see it on Saturday. I am such a fanboy it's just embarrassing.
But the lightsaber fight is sooooo cool.
One thing that is totally unnecessary is Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace in 3D. I mean, really... Is there a point? No. It's a sad money grub, that is all.
Having said that: my step son and I are going to see it on Saturday. I am such a fanboy it's just embarrassing.
But the lightsaber fight is sooooo cool.
RPM Progress Report
I don't know what to make of this.
I've got six songs in the works. I'm still thinking I will write and record everything on the iPad, but I still haven't tried plugging the guitar or mic into it yet. It all kinda hinges on that little test.
I have Monday 2/20 off for a holiday. I took Tuesday 2/21 off too with the plan of having two full days to myself to do nothing but music. Now I find out one of the kids has a school function on Friday the 17th so I have to take that day off too, which means I will have part of that day at home to work on the project as well.
The songs are coming (so far). I have time open to seriously crank things out.
But I am still not feeling this at all. It's all forced. None of the music is sticking with me. As soon as I stop working on something it's gone from my brain entirely. There's no emotion involved at all. It's all paint by numbers. There is no inspiration anywhere. I'm going through the motions. It's all a little depressing.
I'm not going to stop though. Not yet at least. I've never finished one of these damn projects on time. It'd be a shame if this turd is the one that finally gets in by the deadline, but it is still a goal I want to meet.
I'll keep pluggin'.
I've got six songs in the works. I'm still thinking I will write and record everything on the iPad, but I still haven't tried plugging the guitar or mic into it yet. It all kinda hinges on that little test.
I have Monday 2/20 off for a holiday. I took Tuesday 2/21 off too with the plan of having two full days to myself to do nothing but music. Now I find out one of the kids has a school function on Friday the 17th so I have to take that day off too, which means I will have part of that day at home to work on the project as well.
The songs are coming (so far). I have time open to seriously crank things out.
But I am still not feeling this at all. It's all forced. None of the music is sticking with me. As soon as I stop working on something it's gone from my brain entirely. There's no emotion involved at all. It's all paint by numbers. There is no inspiration anywhere. I'm going through the motions. It's all a little depressing.
I'm not going to stop though. Not yet at least. I've never finished one of these damn projects on time. It'd be a shame if this turd is the one that finally gets in by the deadline, but it is still a goal I want to meet.
I'll keep pluggin'.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Music Videos
This is OK Go's new video.
...and we thought Peter Gabriel's videos were cool.
The really sad part about this is that these guys do this while I am struggling trying to write 35 minutes of throw away crap. I feel pretty inferior right now.
Enjoy
...and we thought Peter Gabriel's videos were cool.
The really sad part about this is that these guys do this while I am struggling trying to write 35 minutes of throw away crap. I feel pretty inferior right now.
Enjoy
E-Commerce
There are some things that are just made for shopping online. Music, movies, toys, gadgets, stuff like that. Stuff that you don't necessarily need to see or hold in your hands before you buy it. Hey, {insert band name here} has a new record out? I think I'll buy the CD... pop on over to amazon.com and boom, the new CD is coming in the mail.
Some things I would really think twice before buying online. Food. When I want to cook some burgers on the grill I'm not going to order a box of patties online, I'm going to the supermarket. Pets. I can't imagine adopting a new cat without getting to meet it in person first.
Other things are sort of hit or miss. Clothing. I don't know what to think when it comes to buying clothes online. T-shirts are one thing, I would buy up at least 75% of thinkgeek.com's t-shirt selection if I had the means. Clothes for work though? I hesitate. Another good example is a winter jacket. That's something I want to be able to test drive a little before I buy it. I at least want to put it on and see how warm it feels.
What about shoes? My feet are hard to fit. They are ridonkulously giguntic to be exact. (See what I did there? I'm hip. I'm with it. Insert image of Dr Evil trying to impress his son Scott with a lame attempt at dancing the macarena here. How the hell do you spell macarena, anyway?) I go to shoe stores and they have thousands of pairs of shoes for sale and maybe one or two will come close to fitting me, and generally they are marked up so high that if I had a normal person's feet I could buy two or three pairs for the price of the one huge pair.
So this morning I bit the proverbial bullet and bought a pair of shoes online. Size 15W, which is the wrong size but I couldn't find anything useable in size 14WW which is what I need. We'll see how they feel when I get them in 2-7 days. Hopefully they fit well enough and I can stop wearing the shoes I have on right now. The shoes with holes right through the soles that have no more cushion because the cushion has disintegrated over the last six or so years that I've been wearing them.
Wish my feet luck.
Some things I would really think twice before buying online. Food. When I want to cook some burgers on the grill I'm not going to order a box of patties online, I'm going to the supermarket. Pets. I can't imagine adopting a new cat without getting to meet it in person first.
Other things are sort of hit or miss. Clothing. I don't know what to think when it comes to buying clothes online. T-shirts are one thing, I would buy up at least 75% of thinkgeek.com's t-shirt selection if I had the means. Clothes for work though? I hesitate. Another good example is a winter jacket. That's something I want to be able to test drive a little before I buy it. I at least want to put it on and see how warm it feels.
What about shoes? My feet are hard to fit. They are ridonkulously giguntic to be exact. (See what I did there? I'm hip. I'm with it. Insert image of Dr Evil trying to impress his son Scott with a lame attempt at dancing the macarena here. How the hell do you spell macarena, anyway?) I go to shoe stores and they have thousands of pairs of shoes for sale and maybe one or two will come close to fitting me, and generally they are marked up so high that if I had a normal person's feet I could buy two or three pairs for the price of the one huge pair.
So this morning I bit the proverbial bullet and bought a pair of shoes online. Size 15W, which is the wrong size but I couldn't find anything useable in size 14WW which is what I need. We'll see how they feel when I get them in 2-7 days. Hopefully they fit well enough and I can stop wearing the shoes I have on right now. The shoes with holes right through the soles that have no more cushion because the cushion has disintegrated over the last six or so years that I've been wearing them.
Wish my feet luck.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Birthday!
Today is my wife's birthday! Everyone wish my sweet Jen a happy birthday!
And a 1, and a 2, and a 1, 2, 3...
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Jenny the love of my life the woman of my dreams my wife whom I love more than words can express,
Happy Birthday to you!
I had the weirdest night last night. I was on call so I was trying to decide whether or not I should try to sleep or stay up in case the phone rang. I was just about to call it a night at about 11:00pm when my nose started bleeding. Urgh. When I was a kid that happened all the time. Now it's pretty rare, but it has happened to me a couple of times over the past two or three months or so. So I stop the bleeding (it didn't take much) and clean myself up and crawl into bed. About an hour and a half later I woke up. I had the hiccups. The hiccups woke me up. Urgh. I get a drink, stop the hiccups, and go back to sleep. Three hours later I woke up with a leg cramp. I jump out of bed and walk it off. As I'm walking it off I started to hiccup again. Urgh. Fix the leg cramp, stop the hiccups, go back to sleep. Then two hours later the worst thing happened. The alarm clock went off. DAMN!
But, when I got up I got to wish my love a happy birthday, so that wasn't all that bad.
Happy Birthday, Jen! I love you!
And a 1, and a 2, and a 1, 2, 3...
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Jenny the love of my life the woman of my dreams my wife whom I love more than words can express,
Happy Birthday to you!
I had the weirdest night last night. I was on call so I was trying to decide whether or not I should try to sleep or stay up in case the phone rang. I was just about to call it a night at about 11:00pm when my nose started bleeding. Urgh. When I was a kid that happened all the time. Now it's pretty rare, but it has happened to me a couple of times over the past two or three months or so. So I stop the bleeding (it didn't take much) and clean myself up and crawl into bed. About an hour and a half later I woke up. I had the hiccups. The hiccups woke me up. Urgh. I get a drink, stop the hiccups, and go back to sleep. Three hours later I woke up with a leg cramp. I jump out of bed and walk it off. As I'm walking it off I started to hiccup again. Urgh. Fix the leg cramp, stop the hiccups, go back to sleep. Then two hours later the worst thing happened. The alarm clock went off. DAMN!
But, when I got up I got to wish my love a happy birthday, so that wasn't all that bad.
Happy Birthday, Jen! I love you!
SWTOR
This post is directed at my wife, Jen and my friend, Mike.
After a couple of false starts, it's installing.
After a couple of false starts, it's installing.
Monday, February 6, 2012
iPhone Astrophotography
It's been a while so here's a double!
Moon over strip mall and Venus over across the road from strip mall.
Enjoy!
Moon over strip mall and Venus over across the road from strip mall.
Enjoy!
RPM Challenge Update: Day Six
File this RPM Challenge update under motivation, or the complete and utter lack thereof.
The clock struck midnight on February 1st and I went to sleep. I
was so geared up for this as January was coming to a close, but as soon
as it was time to start working I lost 99% of my interest.
Still, I wasn't ready to give up so instead of writing on my guitar before work I forced myself to play with GarageBand on my iPad before bed. It's 2/6 and I currently have 3 ideas sort of roughed out. That keeps me on pace for FAWM, but there is so much work to do to finish what little I've started, never mind the mountain that hasn't been started yet.
But as of about half an hour ago I officially altered my focus for this year. Maybe that will motivate me. I just bought a 1/4" input for my iPad. This is now a 100% iPad project. Well, maybe not 100%... I just remembered a little noodle I have on my iPhone. I can use the input to take the mono out from my board which will allow me to record some vocals with a little real compression. I can use my Line6 Pod for the guitar.
I am still lacking in drive, but at least there's a plan of action now. If I finish on time I'll dedicate the final package to Steve Jobs.
Still, I wasn't ready to give up so instead of writing on my guitar before work I forced myself to play with GarageBand on my iPad before bed. It's 2/6 and I currently have 3 ideas sort of roughed out. That keeps me on pace for FAWM, but there is so much work to do to finish what little I've started, never mind the mountain that hasn't been started yet.
But as of about half an hour ago I officially altered my focus for this year. Maybe that will motivate me. I just bought a 1/4" input for my iPad. This is now a 100% iPad project. Well, maybe not 100%... I just remembered a little noodle I have on my iPhone. I can use the input to take the mono out from my board which will allow me to record some vocals with a little real compression. I can use my Line6 Pod for the guitar.
I am still lacking in drive, but at least there's a plan of action now. If I finish on time I'll dedicate the final package to Steve Jobs.
Games
The big game ended last night exactly the way I wanted it to. The Bruins spanked the Capitals 4-1. Let us hope that this win gets them out of the slump they've been in. How about running off another 10 or so wins in a row? That would feel good right about now.
Of course I'm kidding about the whole Big Game thing. The Pats blew it last night. On the last drive of the game, with the Patriots down by four, Pats receivers dropped passes twice. One of them was a tough play but the receiver still got both of his hands on the ball. The other was a perfect pass that hit the receiver square in the hands and he just dropped it. Given that, ask yourself this question: If the game had been fixed, would you be able to tell? After the second dropped pass I turned to my wife and said that the game was fixed. It probably wasn't, but it sure seemed coincidental that two receivers muffed two passes (one of which was perfect) that hit them in the hands on the final drive of the game when a touchdown would have won it. Never mind taking a safety on your first offensive play of the game.
The good news is, now that football is over, the sports media juggernaut that exists in Boston can turn it's (almost) full attention to the Bruins. The Celtics are playing too, but expectations are brutally low. The Bruins, however, are still the Boston sports media darlings. Let us put the focus where it belongs!
The other good news about football being over is that spring training is right around the corner. Red Sox truck day is in six days, and pitchers and catchers report in less than two weeks. We can then start with the whole redemption of last year's epic collapse... although we have to deal with that Valentine clown while we do it. Urgh.
Go Bruins
Go Red Sox
What the hell, Go Celtics
Go Bruins!
Of course I'm kidding about the whole Big Game thing. The Pats blew it last night. On the last drive of the game, with the Patriots down by four, Pats receivers dropped passes twice. One of them was a tough play but the receiver still got both of his hands on the ball. The other was a perfect pass that hit the receiver square in the hands and he just dropped it. Given that, ask yourself this question: If the game had been fixed, would you be able to tell? After the second dropped pass I turned to my wife and said that the game was fixed. It probably wasn't, but it sure seemed coincidental that two receivers muffed two passes (one of which was perfect) that hit them in the hands on the final drive of the game when a touchdown would have won it. Never mind taking a safety on your first offensive play of the game.
The good news is, now that football is over, the sports media juggernaut that exists in Boston can turn it's (almost) full attention to the Bruins. The Celtics are playing too, but expectations are brutally low. The Bruins, however, are still the Boston sports media darlings. Let us put the focus where it belongs!
The other good news about football being over is that spring training is right around the corner. Red Sox truck day is in six days, and pitchers and catchers report in less than two weeks. We can then start with the whole redemption of last year's epic collapse... although we have to deal with that Valentine clown while we do it. Urgh.
Go Bruins
Go Red Sox
What the hell, Go Celtics
Go Bruins!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Super Bowl Question
Does anyone keep track of the amount of time the game is on the air versus the amount of time commercials are on the air?
I bet it's close to 50/50.
I bet it's close to 50/50.
Thoughts From The First
Once again, I'm not a football fan, but here are some thoughts from the first quarter of the super bowl...
Tom Brady looks dumb. He probably didn't have any other option but... Dumb.
Guys. 12. Learn to count. Please.
Tom Brady looks dumb. He probably didn't have any other option but... Dumb.
Guys. 12. Learn to count. Please.
Supper Bowl Sunday
So much to do today, and I'm not even a football fan. I need to get the car an oil change. I need to get a haircut. Both of those items are DISTURBINGLY overdue. I also need to do some birthday shopping for a certain love of my life. Her birthday follows close on the heels of my step son's, and then Valentines comes right after that.
There is also a band practice at noon and some football game this evening. I'm still mad about the Bruins. They look much more like the Cup Hangover Bruins that started this season and much less like the bulldozer that pummeled the NHL for the months of November and December.
I'd also like to get some more rough ideas strung together for the RPM Challenge. I have two as of last night. Progress.
Go Patriots
Go Bruins
Go Patriots
There is also a band practice at noon and some football game this evening. I'm still mad about the Bruins. They look much more like the Cup Hangover Bruins that started this season and much less like the bulldozer that pummeled the NHL for the months of November and December.
I'd also like to get some more rough ideas strung together for the RPM Challenge. I have two as of last night. Progress.
Go Patriots
Go Bruins
Go Patriots
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Force It
About 90 minutes ago I opened up GarageBand on my iPad and forced a few ideas out of myself. I now have one crappy piece of crap under way for this year's RPM. I will not sleep until the ball is rolling on a second song. I want to have two terrible ideas working.
If I'm not feeling into RPM then I'll just have to force myself to work on it until I am feeling it. I don't want to get left behind this year.
If I'm not feeling into RPM then I'll just have to force myself to work on it until I am feeling it. I don't want to get left behind this year.
Celebration Day
Today is a day worthy of celebration.
Today is my step son's birthday! The family party is on for this afternoon. It's going to be great. I'm so happy for the little man. He is literally twice the size he was when I first met him, and that seems like yesterday. Happy birthday, buddy!
If that's not cool enough, today is also my nephew's first birthday! One year ago today we had yet another red head added to the family. Happy birthday, little guy!
How awesome is today? Wicked awesome!
Today is my step son's birthday! The family party is on for this afternoon. It's going to be great. I'm so happy for the little man. He is literally twice the size he was when I first met him, and that seems like yesterday. Happy birthday, buddy!
If that's not cool enough, today is also my nephew's first birthday! One year ago today we had yet another red head added to the family. Happy birthday, little guy!
How awesome is today? Wicked awesome!
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Muppets Pwn Fox
Kermit and Ms Piggy at a press conference discussing recent Fox news allegations that the new Muppet Movie is brainwashing people against big business.
The really funny part about this is that some one at Fox news accused the Muppets of being anti-business. THEY ARE MUPPETS!
The really funny part about this is that some one at Fox news accused the Muppets of being anti-business. THEY ARE MUPPETS!
South Least
What is the deal with the Bruins and the damn South East Division? They've lost seven times to teams in the South Least and after another craptastic showing last night they have lost FOUR TIMES to the Carolina Hurricanes. Oh and check the standings. There is only one team from the South East that is actually holding a playoff spot right now, and it ain't Carolina. Pathetic!
Last night the Bruins weren't awful. Cam Ward was fantastic in net for the Whalers, making 47 saves, but still. Shut out at home by the Whale? That's just wrong. That crap cannot be happening this year. The Hurricanes have actually swept the season series. Insulting!
The next game is tomorrow against Pittsburgh. Fortunately the Penguins do not suck, therefore the Bruins should play well.
Hopefully.
RPM Challenge update. I have one 4 bar riff on my iPhone, and two 8 bar thingies on my laptop. All of which suck more than my usual acceptable level of suck. That's it. It's only February 3rd, but I am seriously considering calling the whole thing off this year. I'm just not feeling it. There is so much going on in real life that I don't have the time nor the energy to work on a project of this magnitude. I suppose I could change my mind tomorrow, but I doubt it. I'm not dropping out of the race, but I don't see myself giving it much thought this year. We'll see how it goes.
Last night the Bruins weren't awful. Cam Ward was fantastic in net for the Whalers, making 47 saves, but still. Shut out at home by the Whale? That's just wrong. That crap cannot be happening this year. The Hurricanes have actually swept the season series. Insulting!
The next game is tomorrow against Pittsburgh. Fortunately the Penguins do not suck, therefore the Bruins should play well.
Hopefully.
RPM Challenge update. I have one 4 bar riff on my iPhone, and two 8 bar thingies on my laptop. All of which suck more than my usual acceptable level of suck. That's it. It's only February 3rd, but I am seriously considering calling the whole thing off this year. I'm just not feeling it. There is so much going on in real life that I don't have the time nor the energy to work on a project of this magnitude. I suppose I could change my mind tomorrow, but I doubt it. I'm not dropping out of the race, but I don't see myself giving it much thought this year. We'll see how it goes.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Does This Work?
One microphone in the back of the room, raised almost to the ceiling. The drums were facing it, the PA (including the bass) were perpendicular, and the guitar was facing the opposite direction.
The new band trying to cover Cheap Trick.
18 by bandpractices
Did it work?
The new band trying to cover Cheap Trick.
18 by bandpractices
Did it work?
Happy Groundhog Day
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today.
That bitch.
Six more weeks of winter, says a rodent of a weatherman who is probably just as accurate as most human weather people.
Although, if six more weeks of winter means temperatures in the 50s the way they were yesterday, then I think I can stomach it.
That bitch.
Six more weeks of winter, says a rodent of a weatherman who is probably just as accurate as most human weather people.
Although, if six more weeks of winter means temperatures in the 50s the way they were yesterday, then I think I can stomach it.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Slim Fast Hell
I jumped on the weight loss bandwagon on Sunday. My plan is simple. No soda at all. No caffeine (because kicking my caffeine addiction will help me not drink soda, as soda is my only source of caffeine). Slim Fast (style) meal replacements for breakfast and lunch.
On Sunday we went out to lunch and I had diet coke. Oh well. On Monday I was discombobulated when leaving the house and I forgot my breakfast and lunch shakes and ended up getting a chicken sandwich (the usual) at the cafe at work. I also had one coke zero and one diet coke.
Yesterday was the first day I did everything according to plan. No soda and shakes for lunch and breakfast. I was very proud of myself, even though it was only one day.
Today? OH MY GOD I AM STARVING!!!! I will have my shake at 1:00pm (10 minutes from now) but a couple of people just came back from the cafe with their lunch and oh my god it smells so good! I had a shake for breakfast. Other than that I've had nothing but water. So far I am on track, but it's only day two and it's already soooo difficult. I WANT A COKE AND A CHICKEN SANDWICH DAMN IT!
Focus
Focus
Focus
Not weighing as much as a small car is worth it. Reducing my risk of a heart attack before I turn 50 is worth it.
It is worth it
It is worth it
It is worth it
On Sunday we went out to lunch and I had diet coke. Oh well. On Monday I was discombobulated when leaving the house and I forgot my breakfast and lunch shakes and ended up getting a chicken sandwich (the usual) at the cafe at work. I also had one coke zero and one diet coke.
Yesterday was the first day I did everything according to plan. No soda and shakes for lunch and breakfast. I was very proud of myself, even though it was only one day.
Today? OH MY GOD I AM STARVING!!!! I will have my shake at 1:00pm (10 minutes from now) but a couple of people just came back from the cafe with their lunch and oh my god it smells so good! I had a shake for breakfast. Other than that I've had nothing but water. So far I am on track, but it's only day two and it's already soooo difficult. I WANT A COKE AND A CHICKEN SANDWICH DAMN IT!
Focus
Focus
Focus
Not weighing as much as a small car is worth it. Reducing my risk of a heart attack before I turn 50 is worth it.
It is worth it
It is worth it
It is worth it
90 Feet
The Bruins won last night. They trailed Ottawa 3-1 in the second period and came back to win it in the third. The winning goal? It came on a Dennis Seidenberg shot from the red line. Center ice. Oh how embarrassing that must be for Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson. I'm guessing he's going to have a rough day at practice today.
Here are the highlights...
Moving on to the Patriots. As usual I preface football comments by saying that I don't follow football. There. I'm hearing a lot of talk about revenge. The Giants spoiled the Patriots perfect season in 2007 by beating them in the Super Bowl. Now people are talking about how a win on Sunday would be revenge.
Would it?
Think about it. As a Bruins fan, do you feel that beating Philly in the second round of the playoffs in 2011 was adequate payback for Philly humiliating us in the second round in 2010? I sure as hell don't. Even winning the Stanley Cup last year did not dull the pain. What did dull the pain was time. It's not the freshest memory anymore, but beating Philadelphia and winning the cup doesn't make me feel better about the most embarrassing defeat in post season history.
Do Red Sox fans feel that beating the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS was revenge for losing in heartbreaking fashion in the same series in 2003? Do they feel that it was payback for the crushing loss in 1978? I don't. If it did I would have stopped saying *bleeping* when ever I say the names Aaron *bleeping* Boone or Bucky *bleeping* Dent. I don't feel that we got even with them, even though we did hand them the most embarrassing loss in baseball history. I see the three playoffs as completely separate events.
The Patriots beating the Giants in the Super Bowl on Sunday is not going to make up for blowing a perfect season on the last day. Nothing will ever bring that perfect season back. Not even successfully completing a new perfect season. The loss is there forever, no matter what happens now. I don't see how any thing could be revenge for losing painfully.
Maybe it's just the concept of revenge that I don't get.
Here are the highlights...
Moving on to the Patriots. As usual I preface football comments by saying that I don't follow football. There. I'm hearing a lot of talk about revenge. The Giants spoiled the Patriots perfect season in 2007 by beating them in the Super Bowl. Now people are talking about how a win on Sunday would be revenge.
Would it?
Think about it. As a Bruins fan, do you feel that beating Philly in the second round of the playoffs in 2011 was adequate payback for Philly humiliating us in the second round in 2010? I sure as hell don't. Even winning the Stanley Cup last year did not dull the pain. What did dull the pain was time. It's not the freshest memory anymore, but beating Philadelphia and winning the cup doesn't make me feel better about the most embarrassing defeat in post season history.
Do Red Sox fans feel that beating the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS was revenge for losing in heartbreaking fashion in the same series in 2003? Do they feel that it was payback for the crushing loss in 1978? I don't. If it did I would have stopped saying *bleeping* when ever I say the names Aaron *bleeping* Boone or Bucky *bleeping* Dent. I don't feel that we got even with them, even though we did hand them the most embarrassing loss in baseball history. I see the three playoffs as completely separate events.
The Patriots beating the Giants in the Super Bowl on Sunday is not going to make up for blowing a perfect season on the last day. Nothing will ever bring that perfect season back. Not even successfully completing a new perfect season. The loss is there forever, no matter what happens now. I don't see how any thing could be revenge for losing painfully.
Maybe it's just the concept of revenge that I don't get.
RPM Challenge Begins
The RPM Challenge is underway for 2012 and I slept right through the start. I sense that this will be the start of a trend.
Oh well.
Oh well.
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