Up all night...

I've been up all night with a stomach ache, watching movies on Netflix. I'm truly digging the service. I've read articles on the internet with people complaining about there not being enough "new" movies for instant download - but I find something good every time I turn the thing on. What I've been most impressed with is a large selection of indie movies that normally I wouldn't even see in the old days of renting at the video store. I've saved hundreds of dollars using Netflix instead of renting for 4 bucks a pop.

Anyways...this is sort of a wasted blog. I just felt like writing something on here to pass the time while I sit here.

iPhone 4 - Perspective from a former fan-boy

It was 5:45 in the morning. My nephew typed in "apple store the summit" into my iPhone 3G with a cracked screen so we could see if people were tweeting about how long the lines already were. They were tweeting. Apparently people had been waiting in line since about 2:00am. We found a place in line just where the line wrapped around the summit - 4 stores or so from the Apple store at The Summit - where I would receive my shiny new Apple iPhone 4 three and a half hours later.
It seems that experience amplified the entire experience for me. Things seem more awesome the more you have to endure to get them...and thus my phone is...awesome. The graphics are better than any phone I've messed with. The camera is better than both our digital cameras. The video, do I really need to say it? Yes. It's awesome. The phone is fast. The apps are great. It performs, and out-performs so many other phones.
I've been tempted by Android. I can't not admit that I have been tempted. Why? Well for the obvious reasons many others are: to answer the question, "Is Verizon's network really better?" and "is Android really that open of an OS?". Lately the blogs I've been reading suggest that Motorolla is throwing code into their devices that will "brick" your phone making it completely useless if you attempt to jailbreak it and fail. Only thought that came to mind was, "Geez. That's worse than Apple" - and as far as censorship, "worse than Apple" is pretty bad. None-the-less, that's not the point of this blog.
The point of this blog is to talk about the antenna of the iPhone and other smart-phones on the market today. Apple's Steve Jobs had a press conference today to respond to all the media's response to the iPhone signal issues. Apple's response can be summed up to this: Yes. There is a signal issue. Actual all smart-phones have weak spots. Yes. We attempted to cover it up with an algorithm that lied about signal strength making it seem stronger. We sent a fix for that today. Yes. If you don't like our phone you can return it. Yes. Since the bumper case fixes the issues - current owners can have the bumper for FREE. Those who have already bought the case will be 100% reimbursed.
How much better could they have addressed the issue? It IS a problem with every other phone. It ISN'T a big deal with any other phone. But, Apple being the big cheese that they are, should have known this. I wouldn't be surprised if they knew this was going to happen all along. Instead of tech blogs comparing the new Droid X to the iPhone 4, we've been reading nothing but bullshit about the iPhone 4's "design flaw" - which Apple just quite thoroughly proved to be a design flaw for every other phone on the market. They kept my attention, and if you're reading this - they kept yours too.
Fact is: the phone is made of glass. If you don't put a case on it, you're an idiot. And if you put a case on it, you will NOT have signal problems. Now back to the facts that matter. The iPhone 4 is the best smart-phone IN THE WORLD right now. Go get one. And before you leave the store, get your free bumper for cryin-out-loud.

PS- this was typed on a PC, not a mac. LoL.

Men VS Women

Yeah, I know...interesting title right? I was watching a show today on VH1 called "undatable" - basically a show where women talk about things that men do to make themselves more unappealing. It's kinda funny in that many of the things they mention are things I've heard of guys doing, and getting dumped over, etc. But there was one little phase of the show that really hit me in a weird way.

This one phase of the show the women were talking about men that don't pay for the dates. My life, growing up, I was taught that there was a specific way that guys were supposed to treat women no matter what: women are to be treated like ladies, you never hit them, open doors, pay for their food, get ready to pay for everything else they need/want one day in the near future. But that set of rules "generally" (<----look up the definition for "generally" before commenting, ladies) came with another set of rules that said that for one respect given, there was to be respect received. For instance, some guys expect that because they make money, and they work, and they're the "head of the household", they do the outside chores, actually remember oil changes, carry heavy stuff, unload way more groceries than ever needed...I could keep going for a few days...but they sometimes feel that in exchange for having that responsibility the house should be kept clean, the clothes done, and the dinner cooked.

But then we had to have that little movement in the 20's and now women can make as much, and more money than men. And now there's not as much time for "household" chores to get done. Men are expected to help with all those once considered "womanly" chores because after all, we ARE equals - and if they work for the same bills the men do - it's only fair. BUT! I can count on probably two fingers the number of times I've driven past a yard being cut by a woman. And don't get me wrong, when I do drive past - I say, "hell, yeah - that's what I'm talking about". If you want to be equal - BE EQUAL. Take that hard earned cash and pay for a damn date yourself! Go see how it feels to be the one that pays, the one that opens the door, the one that gets asked to move every damn heavy box, and every other "manly" feat. - and then tell me you wouldn't rather cook and clean.

It's the "having your cake, and eating it too" syndrome. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with a woman being either way: either just being traditional, or being modern and doing more - being your own woman - or whatever. Be either way - just don't complain about your man not wanting to spend all his cash on you, and expecting you to spend some of your cash - when your excuse for not cleaning his house is the time you spend contributing to the cash flow.

bwahahaha - you guys are gonna have fun commenting on this one I know!

To reach deeper...

I've played music as long as I can remember. Ever since the first time my parents allowed me to sit in front of a piano and I discovered where those sounds came from, I've been obsessed with music. A very wise man once told me that bands come and go - but the music lasts forever. I have learned that the hard way. I have learned more about people from playing music with other people than I have from any other walk of life; probably because that's what 90% of my social life consists of. None-the-less it is true.
So what of the title? To reach deeper than before. To find meaning in things. These are good ideas, but what's the real focus? Truth is, there isn't one. Music, like any other art form will mean certain things to certain people, and to others it will mean nothing. Thus it's meaning is totally relative to the listener. But what I want to talk about, it what it means to the writer.
This is where I feel that much of modern music falls short. So many people out to make money, or become famous, or whatever - but they're not really musicians...and the musicians that are putting the stuff out there - rich as hell they may be - they're expressionless. The "point" of the music is to make money, not to inspire - not to convey a feeling across to others. I've fallen victim to this ideology of writing in some aspects. I've let "what's good" get confused with "what might sell" - etc.
The honest truth with me is that I get a sense of accomplishment just from completing a song when it has true meaning to me. An even bigger sense of accomplishment comes when someone else appreciates the work - whether or not they understand it or not. Maybe by reaching deeper into the unknown so that I can write solely from inspiration may mean a different reaction than hoped for...maybe it will take me further than ever before...the point is, it's not about where I'm going when I write a song - it's about the inspiration from the song itself...it's about where I've been.

Harder than anticipated...

I'm finding that when I truly take the time to try and develop new ideas for music - and really get into depth with it, it becomes twice as hard to come up with something that works. I wanted to have jam sessions in which all the new material came out of...but I'm seeing more and more that this method isn't working. Honestly, it's been probably ten years since that method has worked for me. This means getting the pro-tools back out and laying down my ideas bit by bit again...which I was trying to avoid for time-sake - and to try and obtain a product more inspired by the entire band. Either way - things are slow. I can that should be expected with as much time as we've taken off. Bah. I just felt like complaining. Done now.

Sick as a dog

This past Wednesday I woke to a pain that I wish no one else should ever have to endure. My throat was so swollen that just to swallow the saliva that collects in your mouth resulted in immense pain. That little thing that hangs down in the back of your mouth, the uvula - mine got infected. It was about 5x it's normal size - making speech and swallowing very difficult despite the pain. So I load up and go to the doc. I'm shivering on and off - and it's not cold - so I assume that I'm running a temperature.

When I get to the doc, luckily I got there early because I was the first patient to be seen. I don't know if I got lucky or maybe they noticed I was about to pass out in the waiting room - either way being first was a good thing. They checked my temp in my ear and said it was 99.7 - which estimates my core temp to be approximately 100.7 - not good. I curl up on the examination table and go to sleep. When I wake the doc comes in and is checking me out. The look on his face as he looks in my ears and in my throat is not a good one. You've done it good when a general physician is grossed out at the look of your throat. God knows what else he has to look at for the rest of the day.

So we're gonna get a shot, and some antibiotics, and then some cough syrup with some pain killer in it for the throat. Good deal - no problem - let's get this over with and get on home to the bed. Right hip - ouch - okay time to go....NOPE! Soon as the nurse could get out of the room my temperature hits overdrive, my stomach muscles cramp up, heart rate up, blood pressure drop way down - I'm about to pass out and/or throw up. I go over to the sink in the doctors office and immediately stick my head under the faucet. It was one of those tall sink faucets with quite a bit of clearance so I could get my head under pretty easily. All that was going through my mind was that this had to be from my high temp - and that more heat escaped from the body through the head than any other place on the body - and I couldn't throw up because I had just taken my first antibiotic. Thus my head under the faucet. The nurse notices I didn't file out of the room right behind her, so she comes back and finds me there, and then after a small argument and the discussion that it would be okay if I puked in the floor - she moved me back to the table and put wet paper towels all over me...which helped to cool me down. They then called my mother as obviously, driving wasn't going to be an option at the moment. My mother came and got me - took me home - and I went to bed.

I slept like a baby for a couple of hours, but my temperature wasn't going to stay down that easy. It crept back up and hit me like a hammer - I woke up with the same feeling I had right after I had gotten the shot. However, this time - my antibiotic at this point in time had plenty of time to have been absorbed - so I wasn't worried about trying to not throw up. At this point I've become literally week. I'm aching in places I didn't think were possible to ache and I've got to get to the bathroom. I literally crawl in there - and lose what little water I had been able to put down in the early morning hours, and then some minutes later awaken to find myself laying with my head halfway in the floor of the shower. I somehow made it back to the bed - and slept the rest of the day.

It's amazing to me how close you can feel to God when you feel scared, or sick, or both. The most fascinating thing to me is the natural inclination to start making promises to God if he'll just make you feel better in that state. I try to refrain from that sort of thinking, because it's irrational in my opinion - but no matter what - the thoughts almost always seem to find their way in there. I figure making promises to God could be looked at positively - but with us being creatures of sin - doomed by our own choices - I see making promises as being a bit irresponsible. I.E. I know I will sin again, therefore I see it as irresponsible to promise that I won't. You get the idea. Either way, the point of this writing is more or so a glance into the state-of-mind that one comes into when weakened, sick, and scared - when not in any form of control of one's state of being. The mind tells us to do whatever it takes to get out of that place, out of that sickness or frame of mind. A sort of desperation takes our intuition over and we're left with only the determination to end the suffering as soon as possible. I hate that feeling. I feel like I dread it more than being sick sometimes.

What do you think? Comments welcome.

Serenity, Peace, and freeze-dried food...

I played sports from the time I was 10 years old until I graduated from high school. Anyone who played year-round sports (wrestling, football, and baseball) knows what I mean when I say that I didn't have a lot of time for much else. I loved the idea of joining the Boy scouts when I was around 10 or so, but had to make a choice between sports or the scouts. The cub scout program I had been introduced to at my private school was a half-assed attempt at scouting that involved a lot of arts and crafts followed by snacks; I wanted to go camping, backpacking, rock climbing, rappelling, etc. Of course I didn't know then, that they don't let the youngest of the young go - but they didn't tell us when or if we would ever go - so sports got the go ahead on that one.

After that brief history I'll try to get back on track. Last June my wife and I took Austin and went to Oak Mountain to do a bit of car camping. It was very hot, but we had a blast. The morning after - I woke early (as I usually do) and found a trail that led all the way down to this little hidden spot on the lake near the campground. It was beautiful. I can't really describe how it made me feel to find that spot. It had to be a combination of the exercise getting my blood pumping, the smell of what the earth was meant to smell like, the beauty of the view - following by a kind of enlightenment; this is the way God intended us to feel the earth; smell, touch, see, hear the earth. After that trip, I started reading and exploring into the sport that is backpacking.

Backpacking is like camping - but more. Most people don't really know the difference. Camping can be staying at a park while on a trip, in a tent of course, just to save a few bucks instead of staying in a hotel. Camping is what you do when you son just wants to spend the night in a tent and you set one up in the backyard.

Backpacking is taking everything you take for granted in your daily life, strapping it to your back, and venturing into the unknown - prepared to take on the wild one step at a time. What do I mean? I mean taking your shelter, sleeping materials, stove, food, clothing, and other tools needed for survival and putting them all in a pack - and then just taking off. Where to? To where cars, ATV's, trucks, bikes, and other modern forms of transportation can not. To serenity, peace, and probably a place where freeze-dried food tastes its absolute best.

I went on approximately a 7 mile hike on my last off week at Oak Mountain. I went by myself. I got a map - checked it over - planned a route - drove to the Peavine Falls parking lot - loaded up my pack and took off. I took food, water, some extra rain clothing, and a GPS. At first I headed down a steep hill of rocks and small bent over trees, making me feel like I could fall at any moment. Then I found the waterfall. Beautiful. Peaceful. There was no one there at that moment but me - and I loved that. I began my hike right there and then. I just saw a trail and took off. Five minutes into the hike I had this goofy smile on my face and no real reason why. I hadn't just bought a new toy, I hadn't made a serious life changing accomplishment (at least according to the majority of society) - I was just out in the wood, in nature - and it was a beautiful day - and that in itself made me happy.

So that moment has fueled me even more. The idea of being in that happy place for more than just a few hours for a day hike - to spend the night in that place, and wake up to the birds singing - and keep that smile going a bit longer. Call me weird, or call me a hippie, or whatever label you prefer; but for someone who works in a high stress environment weekly - and experiences the amount of sadness and death that I do; finding the exact opposite environment is an amazing thing. And look at the bright side - it's really not that expensive. Well at first, yes. But once your initial gear rig is purchased - one can go on a one week excursion for no more than the price of the gas to get you to the trail head and the food you take along.

I really hope I've found a part of myself that has been dormant all along. I always loved the outdoors as a child, but as I grew up became more focused at computers, music, and my job - all things you do inside. I'm remembering how much I love baseball. And having a blast going to Austin's T-Ball games - and sometimes even helping out with coaching. I never thought coaching could be so fun. All outside, outdoors. Maybe I've found another key to open another door of happiness in my life. There will most definitely be more on this subject posted. I go to get my pack this morning. It won't be long till I'm ready for my first overnighter. I may do a gear review before that first trip as well. Well, until next time.

And the moral of the story is...

Ok. So there was this bird. It was time to fly south for winter. But he didn't want to. It was time for a change. So he decided to stay behind for once and see what it was like; what everyone was running from.

A few weeks went by and it started to get cold, really cold. That knot in your stomach that tells you you've messed up started saying that he better get on his way before it's too late - so he took off flying south.

He was going as fast as he could, but none-the-less he was caught in a snowstorm. Unable to see he crashed into cow pasture, and broke a wing. He lay there thinking how his life was now going to be over because of such a dumb decision.

Out of nowhere a cow stepped over and laid a fresh patty right over top of him.

At first the odor was unpleasant, but then the bird realized that the patty was warm - and would hard soon - possibly giving him time to survive the storm.

Shortly after, the barn-yard cat pulled him from the patty and ate him.

And so the moral of the story is:

Not every one who craps on you is your enemy.

And not everyone who pulls you out of it is your friend.

=)

The iPad Still Blows

Carriers vs. Carriers vs. iPhone vs. Android vs. Windows Mobile vs. huh?

With Apple's long awaited release of their newest invention, the iPad - I've been out of luck in the department of stupid rumors on the internet. I feel like a more appropriate name for the device would be, iPieceOfOversizediPodCRAP - but apparently Job's didn't read my last blog on the subject. Anyways - that's not the point of this one.

So without the iPad to read about, I've shifted my focus to the iPhone. I've had one since 2007 when they released the first iPhone. There was a hardware upgrade with the iPhone 3G in the form of a slimmer body, and plastic case instead of the aluminum case they started out with. I assume this was to solve some of the heat issues affecting the battery life of the first model - but no one really knows why. I assume plastic is a bit cheaper - and they were getting slammed pretty hard about having a $800 phone on the market.

Now that's all changed, but what has changed? The rest of the market. Google's Android OS and Windows new Mobile OS have really brought some awesome devices out of the wood work. At first we had devices like the Blackberry Storm to compete with the iPhones success, but now - WOW - I can't even name them all.

Problem I have with the iPhone come down to the same problems that other techie's have with it: no removable battery, no removable memory, crappy camera, no 3rd party browsers, no tethering, etc. The other HUGE issue is that of AT&T's sucking so horribly as a carrier. I NEVER had as many dropped calls until they took over Cingular - but again - that's another topic.

What I wanted to get to - is that the market has really twisted in such a fashion that I'm having a hard time being an Apple fanatic anymore. Why? The Google Nexus One by HTC and the Motorola Droid are the two phones' I'll put up against the iPhone. They both are faster than the iPhone 3GS, they both are more customizable, have a better camera, have better functionality, and better 3rd party application support (and by support I mean the developers don't have Apple breathing down their necks telling them what they can and cannot create). This is a much more open source device with the potential to truly surpass the iPhone. But, it's not really doing it. Why? Media Experience.

Apples iTunes store, App store, and now the iBook store - all being featured on one device. That's what makes the iPad so "revolutionary". It's not "revolutionary" in it's conception but in the fact that it's like a pick-pocket in your wallet placed there for the price of about a months rent. Huh? I got off topic again. It's all about controlling the market. Apple just has to put out stable devices to access their media market to beat the competition, because while everyone else was out creating devices that would surpass the iPhone - they didn't put the effort into creating a music store that would match or surpass iTunes, a App store that would match or surpass the Apple App Store, or an iBook App that will do what the new iBook app will do.

Amazon.com isn't going to cut it for this Android devices. We need something easy, with a sexy interface that's MADE to be accessed with our phones! Not some window into a store that was made to be accessed by normal PC's. Hell, just a new interface and name it something different. That's all Apple did!

So, my contract with AT&T expires this April - and I'll be eligible for a new phone - but I won't be buying one for a minute. Apple truly has their work cut out for them if they don't want their smartphone to be killed. I TRULY HOPE they don't plan on iPad taking them into the next wave of revolution - because it can't. The consumers can't be that stupid to fall for a big iPod with tricked out iPhone software.

Step it up Apple. Give us a camera that's worth a crap. Give us removable memory of some sort. Give us SOMETHING TO WORK WITH! Why does RIM stay in business selling Blackberries? Because NOBODY does email like them. DO EMAIL LIKE THEM. You can, so why not?

Blah.

School. Again. And again.

I can't stand the absence of learning. For a while, I had such a infatuation with music. I still do I suppose...but no matter how much I'd like to make the earth stand still, and maybe even rotate backwards...I cannot. Thus we press forward. I just finished my application for Penn State Online. I'm going back to obtain my bachelors of science in psychology. Then hopefully an MBA. We'll see. Many roads lie ahead. At first I thought I had a whole lot to say on this, but now that I'm writing I'm finding out that mostly I'm just excited about hopefully going back to school. I miss it. I know that doing an all online study won't be as interesting as attending classes like the old days, but with my having and a family and all - it's really the only option for me right now. Time will surely tell.

Dear Obama,

You are the lack of change our nation never deserved to endure.

My wife and I work for a living. Together we make less than 50K/year. My step-son was born with a sub-mucosal cleft that handicapped his speech. Thus far he has had two surgeries just so he could physically reproduce the sounds needed for him to be able to speak just a little intelligibly. I'm am not his legal guardian. Austin has a father that is responsible for 50% of his mecical expenses, although to date I think he might have given my wife $100 or so towards the thousands he owes for medical expenses. He just bought a new tattoo last week.

The point I'd like to make for you, sir, Mr. President - is that your system is totally ludacris.

Why you ask?

I'm going to say this as clearly as possible:

WHEN YOU HELP PEOPLE WHO DON'T HELP THEMSELVES, YOU GIVE THEM NO REASON TO HELP THEMSELVES.

Huh?

More clarity?

When you give checks to people who pay $87/mo for "government" housing - and then allow those people to draw $8000 income tax refunds off how many illegitimate kids they can reproduce in any given year, you not on further disable them, you DISCOURAGE them from getting out and WORKING for a living.

But it's not just that.

My wife and I who get up off our asses and work - get completely shafted by the government. The more money I make, the less I get back from taxes. Our JOINT return this year amounted to HALF what my wife got back BY HERSELF last year. This was our first joint tax return as a married couple. Way to say - "welcome to responsibility" there.

So GOOD JOB restructuring the tax returns. Once again - you've managed to SCREW the middle class, including Joe the damn plumber.

And my most recent issue. I would say "we" were denied, but "we" were not. Austin was denied social security to pay for his last surgery. This surgery will cost several thousand dollars. SUPPOSEDLY our "household" income is TOO HIGH! We now have no idea how we will afford the surgery, or continue to afford his monthly medication - which cost approx. $130/mo.

Mr. President, YOU'RE income is TOO HIGH! We work hard and barely get by. My gas could get turned off any day now - something you haven't even thought about since you became an elitist prick politician.

WAKE UP!

THE MIDDLE CLASS IS THE PILLAR UPON WHICH THIS NATION STANDS. WHAT WILL ALL YOU ELITIST ASSHOLES DO WHEN WE DECIDE TO SIT ON OUR ASS IN GOVERNMENT HOUSING AND TAKE OUR CHECKS?

So what about the homeless?

GIVE THEM JOBS! Quit giving them money, and give them something to freaking do! No jobs? GET RID OF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!

PRESTO! We have JOBS!

Let Mexico handle their own shit.

Problem solved.

Then give us some help so my step-son can have the SAME CHANCE AT LIFE that every other kid getting a free pass through your crap programs for the "needy" get.

I hope you have a horrible day, SIR.

Hooking up

Is there a class that you have to go to to be on reality TV that teaches you to insert "hook up" in place of "have sex with"?

I was thinking about this the other day. I used to think that "hooking up" meant getting together with someone - usually in a dating-like persuation. But as I pay more and more attention, it's means to "have sex with".

Once I realized that - I realize the phrase is tossed around quite easily and frequently. Is this because they (people on TV) procreate more than the average human? Or is it because they've disguised what they're saying to where it's just too easy to say?

Hmmm?

No longer a "mac only" guy

Thank you Bill Gates for finally getting something right. And that something is Windows 7. Thus far, most of the annoying things about previous versions of Windows that I had grown to hate have been removed. Of course I've only had my new HP pavilion for a few hours, but thus far I love it! I'm looking forward to seeing how the stability is going to hold up. So far it's fast, convenient, and for what all I got - it was a really good deal. I even got a brand new shoulder bag/protective case for it that's really nice.

This is a short one today, but I will probably do a more in depth review of the performance later after I've had a few more hours on it.

You are not a professional just because you think you are

A professional is defined as: 1 a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession b : engaged in one of the learned professions c (1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace

2 a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs b : having a particular profession as a permanent career c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return

3 : following a line of conduct as though it were a profession

— pro·fes·sion·al·ly adverb

So being a "professional" can have quite a few different meanings - and when I think about it - it's hard for me to define what the word means for me - until recently it was applied to something I do as being "unprofessional". At first I took it negatively until I realized that technically, I'm not a professional audio engineer. And when I think about it that way - it just made me realize the ignorance of those making the comment.

An MD is also considered a "medical professional" because he is proficient in that field. A plumber is a professional in the field of plumbing. A CEO of a big company is usually professional in business relations of some sort. A professional musician is someone who's means of living is provided by his musicianship - and a professional engineer is someone who has done a bit more than google the tech forums and learn how to set up his stolen, torrented, DAW and plugin software - and works in a "professional" studio. I know - I've learned a lot from google and used a lot of software. I've also paid for a lot of software.

Now this doesn't mean that one can't use the word "professional" to label someone who is "courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike". But in the audio world, that doesn't really reflect the product. There are many many different levels of quality recordings that can be obtained as the result of the technological revolution of our society. As computers become more and more capable, people have more and more access to the same softwares and equipment that the professionals used to be the only ones to have access with. This causes the gap between top quality recordings and crap recordings to become quite wide. You can find guys with a minimal set up, such as myself, and get away with a decent sounding demo for a few hundred bucks. Or you can go to Nashville, and spend $20,000 on one song - the sky is the limit.

So - before I get lost, lets get to the point: being professional about something is not the same thing as being "A" professional. I don't feel I am "unprofessional" about my engineering because I'm straight forward with those that come to my studio about the type of sound and quality I can achieve - so therefore, my customers get exactly what they pay for - and I have had a 100% satisfaction rating as far as I know. This is called "good business". People that aren't interested in the level of quality I provide, pay more money at other places. And this doesn't bother me. I enjoy helping folks out - especially younger groups that are exactly where I was when I was a late teen, trying to find someone to do a demo for what little money my band could scrounge together. And I do WAY better demos than the ones I paid lots more money for than I charge. So don't lie to people. Do honest business. And be professional. Don't lie to yourself and tell people you are a professional because you think you're better than someone else. Just do what you need to do, and do it the best you can.

I am not a local musician

I am just "A" musician.

I was just thinking that I get tired of listening to musicians complain about the "local scene" and blame everyone but themselves for their issues with this entity they call "local scene". I say this because for - well...for years I was one of those musicians. I probably was one of the main complainers for quite a bit. I blamed bands that in my opinion didn't put enough work into the entirety of their performance for the lack of support the cities musicians in general experienced. The more I think about it, I was completely wrong. The problem isn't the "local scene", it's the whole idea that there even exists such a collection of people.

There only exists 2 entities in this subject that matter: musicians, and those who listen to music. People who crave entertainment are going to go pay for what they like. You could generalize and say that one particular city likes one particular type of music, but most likely you would be horribly incorrect. People IN GENERAL like all types of music, all types of bands, in all types of formats. Some like rock, country, rap, reggae, electronica, drum and bass, trance, techno, etc. etc. etc. And some like MANY of these genres. Some like to hear originals - some like to hear covers of other peoples originals. Some people just like to drink while something above 100 decibels is blaring in the background. You can't generalize "what people like". Some people like every kind of music, and some only like 1. Generally societies don't segregate based on musical preference.

And so there inlays my point for the day - It's really quite simple: If you create music, and you place it in front of people who are entertained by it - they will pay you for it.

I hope any musician reading this can find some inspiration and some hope from my simple epiphany. You can make music people want to listen to. The important thing to remember, is it's not their fault if they don't like it.

I LOVE Apple products, but the iPad is a piece of crap...

...if Apple doesn't wake up and make it compatible with all the media content on the web - particularly Adobe Flash. Ever watch movies online? Listen to music? See a cool animation? Most likely that was flash. And if you have an iPhone, you know you can't see ANY of it. It CAN'T be that hard to make a phone use Flash, and I KNOW it can't be that hard to make a nearly full sized tablet utilize it. They're probably trying to figure out a way to charge you for it.

And the advertisements for the new iPad: seriously, do they think that telling people it's a "revolutionary product" will take away from the fact that all they did was make an iPod with a 10" screen? I mean, the fancy GUI that they say is so much better than iPhone is nothing more than a few tricks added to what the iPhone would if it had a bigger screen.

So if you want a "tablet" computer, go with Windows. I think Jobs has let us all down on this one.

[steps off soap box]

Freaking AMAZING! Remake of Prodigy tune. I had no idea...

Prodigy is probably one of my all time favorite electronic groups/artists EVER. I had no idea that pretty much the entire recording was made from samples of other recordings. That's probably because I'm half retarded when it comes to electronic music, mostly due to my rock background. I've dabbled in electronic music from time to time - mostly with Ableton Live. I always got discouraged because I didn't want to use other peoples music to create my own - I used to feel it was a lack of creativity. But then I watch something like this, and become completely re-inspired. I mean, to strum a chord on a guitar is to do something that has been done trillions of times since the guitar was invented.

To write your own song is to simply rearrange the notes people have been making for years and call them your own. DJing, and electronic music is the same way - except you're using whole songs as your notes. You chop, dice, effect, mold, mix, and reform your notes (or samples to be politically correct) into new notes that really haven't ever been heard before. To see it in this way is truly amazing.

I'm looking into getting some decks and a mixer these days - learning the "original" way to sample - and then incorporating that into what knowledge I've gained of audio production in Ableton Live, and hopefully acquiring Serato Scratch Live to ease the process of obtaining music on vinyl. Just thinking of the possibility of discovering a new sound, a new talent, a new way to create - makes me excited to the core. Anyways - check out the video and shoot a few comments!

Your job is your job

Why is it that so many people seem to have an innate sense of others weaknesses? My family hired someone to take care of my Grandmother, for quite a good amount of money. And out of nowhere we find out she's been neglecting to bathe my Grandmother. When called out on it, she quits. I mean, her only job was to feed, bathe, and make sure Grandmother got all her medicines on time. Not that hard. Not near the responsibilities a CNA would have working in the hospital - and for just as much or more pay. Plus, unlike when working in the hospital - when the job is done - she just had to sit around and keep Grandmother company.

This is what's wrong with our entire economy these days. So many people do not engage in any work ethic. This is touchy especially when we're talking about the day to day care of a person who can't do these things for herself. Good job there miss CNA - I hope you have to go 3 weeks without a bath when you lose yourself.

It's not what your church can do for you...or is it?

This subject is a touchy subject for many people. I hope to simply present an argument that I'm dealing with in my life right now. Let me warn you: It has to do with religion. So, no hate messages please. LoL.

I've been attending church my entire life. I have always considered myself a Methodist, although that self characterization comes mainly from the fact that I've always attended Fultondale United Methodist Church. It's what I would consider a small family church, with great loving Christian people who generally do the best they know how to do for God and for the community in which they serve. I have no negative criticisms of this group of awesome people. I hope if you're looking for a small family church you'll check us out. FUMC has a LOT to offer for the community.

However, many small churches with smaller numbers of people sometimes have trouble reaching every type of person. It's not a question of "would" or "should", but more a question resources and/or politics. I'll define resources as variables driven by money: this includes staff to run programs, and money to fund activities. Politics is defined as usual: Not everyone wants to go in the same direction. With limited resources one has to choose option A or B; They cannot simply buy the entire alphabet.

So the argument from the title of the post arrives. "It's not what your church can do for you...or is it?" There are many reasons one might mention for going to church. The two main things I can think of that stand out most in my mind are "giving" and "receiving". What?

Ok, let me explain. The pastor gives the congregation a message. They receive it. Then they go out into the community to give the message to others who may not know God. Others receive the message - and you can now see the cycle. The problem with this simple equation is that it isn't that simple. For Christians to "grow" in Christ it takes more than just sitting through a 45 minute message once per week. This is why Sunday school, Bible studies, mens groups, womens groups, youth groups, etc. exist.

So I fall into the "young adult" group. I'm recently married, recently inducted into the full time work force, and doing my best to raise a six year old along with my wife. There aren't very many people in my "group" in attendance at my church. There inlays my dilemma. I believe myself to be a Christian who not only needs to receive spiritual nourishment, but give it too. In the past I've been a part of groups that did both. But the problem is that these projects seem to fall apart in the midst of their growth. This is not only unfortunate, but discouraging.

I see larger churches with booming programs for newly weds, and young adult - that have many others in my same walk of life in attendance. That automatically appeals to me because those people have so much in common with me and my wife. I feel that I have a responsibility to God and my family to concrete some of the belief systems I've sort of "evaluated" throughout my younger years. I don't feel I should be on my death bed before I decide to get everything straight.

I also feel like just leaving the church I've been a member of my entire life is like ditching a responsibility. So the question comes again, "It's not what your church can do for you...or is it?"

The truth is that the question is paradoxical in that the true answer is, "BOTH". Giving and receiving both have to exist for the church to grow. So do I continue to be discouraged and give for a chance to receive? Or do I go somewhere else to receive for a chance to give?

I'll be praying.

It makes me sick

...to think of the selfishness of some people. I can't take away the fact that my own imperfections are a likely cause for a large part of my own misfortunes in life - but I can't help but marvel at the audacity that others will stoop to for their own benefit.

My entire life I have dealt with a sort of social anxiety. Why? I don't know. But I have dealt with something. I always want to feel accepted by others. I'm always longing to "be there" for someone so that in my times of need someone might "be there" for me. But for some reason or another, I never can seem to nail the whole "best friend" thing down. I have those that I would have considered my best friend, but when you have to try so hard to just keep in touch that always fades. It amazing how much one person can take control of one's life, and literally play with it like a cheap piece of putty - molding it and fitting it every which way until it hardens and crumbles to pieces on the floor.

Isolation.

I isolate myself in situations where I feel threatened or uncomfortable. This is so at that time of vulnerability, people can't judge me. Problem is, they do anyways. And they'll judge you too. Of course you won't care - but you might one day. One day, you just might.

Newness

Newness is a wonderful feeling. I love that feeling when something new comes into my life. It's like a new route to an unknown destination has just been uncovered. This new thing and all it's new possibilities for adventures I might never have taken without it makes for an addictive sort of euphoria. Like all euphoria, it can be addicting. But I like it. Don't you? Some may call it materialism. But that's only what they call it from the outside. From the inside they don't call it anything. I call it newness. Or even better, W-2-ness. Oh yeah.