I feel like a poodle. Last night I shaved off a good two pounds of body hair in an effort to improve my pool-side image. Rebekah did wonders on me. I've got two cute pom-poms on my hips and around my feet I've got "flippers" (gratuitous Best In Show reference).
So I've been car shopping today for a Ford GT, a steal with a sticker price of $140,000.00. Too bad it's for my boss. He's always good for morale booster on pay day.
I'm so worn out. The problem with going on vacation is that you have to bust your butt before hand to leave your coworkers in good shape and then afterward to catch back up. I feel guilty for leaving for a week. I never miss work. I'm perpetually late; but I never miss.
Rebekah informed me today that I talk to myself in my morning shower. That's weird. I don't remember.
Friday, January 30, 2004
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
three
Well I'm going to break my strict political neutrality to say that John Kerry looks like the undead - an evil, fey, vampire looking character.
I just dropped .99 into Apple's coffers and downloaded my first iTunes song, "Muskrat Love" by Captain & Tenille. I needed it for my latest video masterpiece, my bosses New Years trip video. I think I've got home movies down to an art. (And now that I listen to the song I think I just might put it on the road-trip mix. It's kind of catchy.)
Brandon came over last night and we worked on what'll be the last of our songs for this 6a2 album. We laid down the drum beat and he sung his lyrics over it and then me and Rebekah struggled to add guitar and bass to it. Well I was the one struggling, Rebekah picked up the tune with relative ease. It is a really involved melody that fried my brain. I was begging for three chords but I ended shooting up and down the fret-board.
School is canceled again so Rebekah and Mina get to stay home while the rest of the world works. In the working world there is no such thing as a snow day. I wish there was because I would really like to go sledding.
I just dropped .99 into Apple's coffers and downloaded my first iTunes song, "Muskrat Love" by Captain & Tenille. I needed it for my latest video masterpiece, my bosses New Years trip video. I think I've got home movies down to an art. (And now that I listen to the song I think I just might put it on the road-trip mix. It's kind of catchy.)
Brandon came over last night and we worked on what'll be the last of our songs for this 6a2 album. We laid down the drum beat and he sung his lyrics over it and then me and Rebekah struggled to add guitar and bass to it. Well I was the one struggling, Rebekah picked up the tune with relative ease. It is a really involved melody that fried my brain. I was begging for three chords but I ended shooting up and down the fret-board.
School is canceled again so Rebekah and Mina get to stay home while the rest of the world works. In the working world there is no such thing as a snow day. I wish there was because I would really like to go sledding.
Monday, January 26, 2004
four
Winter weather is here and as much as I didn't like to spend the money I'm glad I've got functional windshield wipers.
Mina has a new favorite video is seems. She's been running the Belle & Sebastian DVD constantly. She has weird tastes for a six year old. Last week she kept asking for us to go rent her American Wedding. To which I replied, "Not until you are seven." To which Rebekah swift kicked me in the ribs.
I'm joking. There is abuse in our family but to steal a line from A Mighty Wind "It's mostly musical in nature." Rebekah and I never fight as much as when we are writing a song. Last night it was over the lyrical breakdown for the new 6a2 song - "Forgive-Forget" (The song will have a dirty st. louis remix called "firgive-firget" with guest vocalist Chingy). We finally got it and I'm pleased. I copied liberally from Avril so I know Brandon will hate it. I joked to Beck that we are the new Matrix. She said we could be called the Duplex.
Mina has a new favorite video is seems. She's been running the Belle & Sebastian DVD constantly. She has weird tastes for a six year old. Last week she kept asking for us to go rent her American Wedding. To which I replied, "Not until you are seven." To which Rebekah swift kicked me in the ribs.
I'm joking. There is abuse in our family but to steal a line from A Mighty Wind "It's mostly musical in nature." Rebekah and I never fight as much as when we are writing a song. Last night it was over the lyrical breakdown for the new 6a2 song - "Forgive-Forget" (The song will have a dirty st. louis remix called "firgive-firget" with guest vocalist Chingy). We finally got it and I'm pleased. I copied liberally from Avril so I know Brandon will hate it. I joked to Beck that we are the new Matrix. She said we could be called the Duplex.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
five
I really like the movie "The Ice Storm". Not the subject matter so much as the look of the film. The perfect recreation of the 70's is rad and the muted colors are beautiful. The ice storm at the end of the film is magnificant.
Well I'm looking out the window at our own ice storm and it is not nearly as impressive. In fact it's pretty mild, just barely coating the car. But we just go the call from our PO and the meeting is canceled. So here I sit still in my shorts instead of a suit.
Last night Rebekah and I worked on our musical opus - "Emily and Jessica". (I've been joking that I want to rename it "Nick Lachey and Jessica".) The song clocks in at a heavy 6 minutes and 20 seconds. For an indie pop song that is probably too much. It sounds like indie pop ("dressy bessy", "all girl summer fun camp") but it tells a long winded story about unrequited love like a folk song
So I've gone to my CD's and looking for long songs and figuring out how to make them seem not as long - keeping the interesting. From I what I can tell the trick is to gradually bring in different vocal parts and introduce new instruments. After listening to our rough track it occured to me that the song really needs a violin and a cello and a piano and a trumpet. So now what?
It's my first time doing a song with live drums. I'm using the drum track Amanda laid down when she was up. I don't know. It's a whole different game than 6a2, that's for sure.
Well I'm looking out the window at our own ice storm and it is not nearly as impressive. In fact it's pretty mild, just barely coating the car. But we just go the call from our PO and the meeting is canceled. So here I sit still in my shorts instead of a suit.
Last night Rebekah and I worked on our musical opus - "Emily and Jessica". (I've been joking that I want to rename it "Nick Lachey and Jessica".) The song clocks in at a heavy 6 minutes and 20 seconds. For an indie pop song that is probably too much. It sounds like indie pop ("dressy bessy", "all girl summer fun camp") but it tells a long winded story about unrequited love like a folk song
So I've gone to my CD's and looking for long songs and figuring out how to make them seem not as long - keeping the interesting. From I what I can tell the trick is to gradually bring in different vocal parts and introduce new instruments. After listening to our rough track it occured to me that the song really needs a violin and a cello and a piano and a trumpet. So now what?
It's my first time doing a song with live drums. I'm using the drum track Amanda laid down when she was up. I don't know. It's a whole different game than 6a2, that's for sure.
Saturday, January 24, 2004
six
The other day at the meeting the most remarkable thing happened. I was able to button my jacket!
It all boils down to the usual pre-trip regime. Losing weight is high priority. Not enough weight; but enough to feel good.
Getting the perfect mix-cd ready for the drive. If I had iPod I could delete this step ... but I don't ... so I do. Peppy-perfect driving songs are selected with liberal doses of show tunes for sing-a-longs. This includes Hair and Hedwig. Belle and Sebastian get chucked in as well. Close enough to show tunes to merit singing in four part harmony with Scottish lisps.
Checking the extended (unreliable) four cast for the destination and trying to divine sense from it. One day it shows rain all day and the next time I check it shows sunshine and the next time I check it shows snows.
Reading, reading, and rereading my Frommer's travel guide - just in case I missed something the first twelve times. This is accompanied by canceling and making reservations for dinners when something new strikes my fancy.
Psyching myself up to go on the 120-foot high water slide that drops you down at 60mph. I have two big phobias heights and speed, to overcome.
It all boils down to the usual pre-trip regime. Losing weight is high priority. Not enough weight; but enough to feel good.
Getting the perfect mix-cd ready for the drive. If I had iPod I could delete this step ... but I don't ... so I do. Peppy-perfect driving songs are selected with liberal doses of show tunes for sing-a-longs. This includes Hair and Hedwig. Belle and Sebastian get chucked in as well. Close enough to show tunes to merit singing in four part harmony with Scottish lisps.
Checking the extended (unreliable) four cast for the destination and trying to divine sense from it. One day it shows rain all day and the next time I check it shows sunshine and the next time I check it shows snows.
Reading, reading, and rereading my Frommer's travel guide - just in case I missed something the first twelve times. This is accompanied by canceling and making reservations for dinners when something new strikes my fancy.
Psyching myself up to go on the 120-foot high water slide that drops you down at 60mph. I have two big phobias heights and speed, to overcome.
Friday, January 23, 2004
seven
I got the new Belle & Sebastian DVD "For Fans Only". Part music video, part documentary, part live performance it served to solidify my appreciation for this group. You watch a band like that and you really want to go and make music.
It also makes you want to be more "indie". But how? I'm starting by rocking the hardcover "green" New World Translation. I'm gonna take it step further and get one that has an old lady's name embossed on the cover. Ethel? Beatrice? Flora?
I'm really sick of seeing the stupid Atkin's diet everywhere I look. It's so dumb seeing these fast food restaraunts tripping over themselves to get a piece of the action. How much of a joke is a stinking hamburger wrapped in big lettuce leaf? These fads diets need to die. They always do but this one is really going strong. The orange juice grower's of America are threatening to sue South Beach and Atkins because they encourage participants not to drink juice. Avoid fruit? That's sound health advice.
My boss has his own diet which is intriguing. He has lost a ton of weight. The gimmick? You eat one meal a day (in the afternoon) and drink (alcohol) heavily at night. What can I say? It works but his near-daily hangover isn't very pleasent to deal with.
I was also listening to the radio yesterday about a guy who stabbed his mother. She was one of Jehovah's Witnesses so in the emergency room she refused a blood transfusion. She ended up dying. The radio talk show host was asking the listeners wether or not the guy should be charged with homicide. The theory being the lady died because she chose not to take blood.
The whole thing reaked and I had to turn it off because it was just pissing me off. Every person and their mother was calling up with these b.s. notions about what "Jehovahs" believe. Stupid ideas like they don't believe in the New Testament to they don't believe in medical treatment. From the get go the program had a bias slant. The truth of the matter is this: THE LADY DIED BECAUSE SHE GOT STABBED NOT BECAUSE SHE REFUSED A BLOOD TRANSFUSION!
Blood transfusions are bad medicine. We have a hospital in St. Louis with an entire wing dedicated to bloodless surgery. Not just for Jehovah's Witnesses but because the doctors believe in it for all patients. I guess some people are gradually getting the point but others are still stuck in this turn of the century way of thinking.
It also makes you want to be more "indie". But how? I'm starting by rocking the hardcover "green" New World Translation. I'm gonna take it step further and get one that has an old lady's name embossed on the cover. Ethel? Beatrice? Flora?
I'm really sick of seeing the stupid Atkin's diet everywhere I look. It's so dumb seeing these fast food restaraunts tripping over themselves to get a piece of the action. How much of a joke is a stinking hamburger wrapped in big lettuce leaf? These fads diets need to die. They always do but this one is really going strong. The orange juice grower's of America are threatening to sue South Beach and Atkins because they encourage participants not to drink juice. Avoid fruit? That's sound health advice.
My boss has his own diet which is intriguing. He has lost a ton of weight. The gimmick? You eat one meal a day (in the afternoon) and drink (alcohol) heavily at night. What can I say? It works but his near-daily hangover isn't very pleasent to deal with.
I was also listening to the radio yesterday about a guy who stabbed his mother. She was one of Jehovah's Witnesses so in the emergency room she refused a blood transfusion. She ended up dying. The radio talk show host was asking the listeners wether or not the guy should be charged with homicide. The theory being the lady died because she chose not to take blood.
The whole thing reaked and I had to turn it off because it was just pissing me off. Every person and their mother was calling up with these b.s. notions about what "Jehovahs" believe. Stupid ideas like they don't believe in the New Testament to they don't believe in medical treatment. From the get go the program had a bias slant. The truth of the matter is this: THE LADY DIED BECAUSE SHE GOT STABBED NOT BECAUSE SHE REFUSED A BLOOD TRANSFUSION!
Blood transfusions are bad medicine. We have a hospital in St. Louis with an entire wing dedicated to bloodless surgery. Not just for Jehovah's Witnesses but because the doctors believe in it for all patients. I guess some people are gradually getting the point but others are still stuck in this turn of the century way of thinking.
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
nine
I've been thinking a lot about what it means to grow old and feel young. This is a difficult concept to explain. I think that our perception of what it means to be old is based on people older than us while our perception of youth is based on our own youth. Do we expect that when we are age 60 we will act and think like people who are 60 right now? But seniors today have attitudes there are the culmination of generations we were not a part of. They lived in environments that are foreign to us. No matter how old we lived to be we will never share those things and to that end as a generation our thoughts and actions will not match. What does it mean to feel old? I think the only way we can feel old is on physical level. We can sense we no longer have the vigor of youth. I think we can also feel old when our own ideas and values no longer match the world at large - the feeling that we are old-fashioned. Our ideas and attitudes evolve over time; however, our core beliefs will tend to stay the same. When you are eighty I guess you will think the same way you thought as a twenty year old but with some refinements.
So I'm really not trying to be deep or thoughtful or anything like that. I just want to capture some of these ideas as they hit me. Otherwise I'll forget them.
So I'm really not trying to be deep or thoughtful or anything like that. I just want to capture some of these ideas as they hit me. Otherwise I'll forget them.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
ten
It's interesting the attitudes toward religion among the youth (30 and younger) these days.
They boil down to two major schools of thought:
Anti-Religion: "Religion is a dangerous element to society that we are better off without. The religious books are myths and the morals expounded within are largely old-fashioned. Religious people are close-minded and ignorant."
Pro-Religion: "Religion is an important part of society. However no religion is better than another. The important thing is that someone observes a moral code and believes in a higher power of some sort. Adherence to an organized religion is not necessary (and in some cases not desirable)."
I wonder which of the two will ultimately win out? The anti-religion stance has remained pretty much the same for the last century. The pro-religion stance has waned in order to keep with the times. How long before it goes away completely? Where does this lead?
Anti-religion could see the abolishment of all religious groups (or at least see them delegated to niche status). Pro-religion could see the old denominations replaced by a global, everything to everyone religion.
They boil down to two major schools of thought:
Anti-Religion: "Religion is a dangerous element to society that we are better off without. The religious books are myths and the morals expounded within are largely old-fashioned. Religious people are close-minded and ignorant."
Pro-Religion: "Religion is an important part of society. However no religion is better than another. The important thing is that someone observes a moral code and believes in a higher power of some sort. Adherence to an organized religion is not necessary (and in some cases not desirable)."
I wonder which of the two will ultimately win out? The anti-religion stance has remained pretty much the same for the last century. The pro-religion stance has waned in order to keep with the times. How long before it goes away completely? Where does this lead?
Anti-religion could see the abolishment of all religious groups (or at least see them delegated to niche status). Pro-religion could see the old denominations replaced by a global, everything to everyone religion.
Monday, January 19, 2004
stranded
For the last year our windshield wipers have been on and off. Finally they shut completely off as the motor coughed up its last breath. On Saturday I found myself rained in all day without wipers. This was compounded by an empty refrigerator. It's bad when you are considering soy sauce and stale triscuits as a lunch. Eventually we broke down and ordered an overpriced pizza from pizza hut. So this week we'll have to find the time and the cash for the $240 (yes, two-hundred and fourty dollars!) windshield wiper motor.
Rebekah and I worked on a new 6a2 song on Sunday. I think I'm in love, with Rebekah and the song. I joke about liking pop divas - Mandy, Christina, Avril. There is an element of truth in it. I can appreciate a well crafted pop song. Junk food is satisfying, is it not? Well the new song we are working on captures that spirit. It's not a perfect carbon-copy but close. The verse starts out as 80's synth pop - depeche mode but then the chorus kicks in and it launches straight into 90's teen girl pop music. It's so delicious.
This week and next will be a slow, agonizing countdown to vacation. I just need to keep busy . . .
Rebekah and I worked on a new 6a2 song on Sunday. I think I'm in love, with Rebekah and the song. I joke about liking pop divas - Mandy, Christina, Avril. There is an element of truth in it. I can appreciate a well crafted pop song. Junk food is satisfying, is it not? Well the new song we are working on captures that spirit. It's not a perfect carbon-copy but close. The verse starts out as 80's synth pop - depeche mode but then the chorus kicks in and it launches straight into 90's teen girl pop music. It's so delicious.
This week and next will be a slow, agonizing countdown to vacation. I just need to keep busy . . .
Friday, January 16, 2004
i dunno
I've been working hard in all the wrong places lately. I don't mind working hard to the point where the day passes quickly by. I don't like working so hard that I can only go home and crash on the bed.
But that's what I've been doing. Then I have to haul myself out of comfortable bed and get dressed for the meeting. I want to sleep but I already missed the Tuesday book study so I can't bring myself to miss another meeting.
And so I go and walk around with an air of being worn that scares people away. More so than usual. Really I don't hate people so much as I hate conversation. I'd be fine if I could just stand next to someone and smile and nod and not even open my mouth. But people want chat. I have no chat to give them.
I only bounce around to the same couple of people and call it a night. I talk to Ryan about video games. Richard about movies. Brandon about when we are getting together next. Then I sit down and wait for the meeting to start.
The Bible highlights dealt with the flood which is my absolute favorite part of the Bible. The brother giving the talk goes on and on about how difficult it would've been for Noah to build the ark by hand. We always assume these ancient people were primitive - are thoughts clouded by modern day Scientific notions of stone ages, bronze ages, industrial ages. I think of it a different way. (Perhaps not a better way, but an alternate)
In just a couple generations from the time of Adam the Bible says that people were forging metal and playing music and building cities. They had a good perfect start. Their minds were still pretty sharp. Now add a thousand years of advancement BEFORE the flood and imagine what they would have accomplished. Look at how much our technology has advanced in the last 100 years! Pre-flood humanity had other things going for them as well. Long lifespans to build on their knowledge. One language to share thoughts and ideas. I guess you could even speculate that renegade angels walking around could've been adding to knowledge (certainly not in a good way).
It was just something to think about really. When I'm tired and moody and not able to focus on the meeting proper.
But that's what I've been doing. Then I have to haul myself out of comfortable bed and get dressed for the meeting. I want to sleep but I already missed the Tuesday book study so I can't bring myself to miss another meeting.
And so I go and walk around with an air of being worn that scares people away. More so than usual. Really I don't hate people so much as I hate conversation. I'd be fine if I could just stand next to someone and smile and nod and not even open my mouth. But people want chat. I have no chat to give them.
I only bounce around to the same couple of people and call it a night. I talk to Ryan about video games. Richard about movies. Brandon about when we are getting together next. Then I sit down and wait for the meeting to start.
The Bible highlights dealt with the flood which is my absolute favorite part of the Bible. The brother giving the talk goes on and on about how difficult it would've been for Noah to build the ark by hand. We always assume these ancient people were primitive - are thoughts clouded by modern day Scientific notions of stone ages, bronze ages, industrial ages. I think of it a different way. (Perhaps not a better way, but an alternate)
In just a couple generations from the time of Adam the Bible says that people were forging metal and playing music and building cities. They had a good perfect start. Their minds were still pretty sharp. Now add a thousand years of advancement BEFORE the flood and imagine what they would have accomplished. Look at how much our technology has advanced in the last 100 years! Pre-flood humanity had other things going for them as well. Long lifespans to build on their knowledge. One language to share thoughts and ideas. I guess you could even speculate that renegade angels walking around could've been adding to knowledge (certainly not in a good way).
It was just something to think about really. When I'm tired and moody and not able to focus on the meeting proper.
Monday, January 12, 2004
It came from the deep
Saturday afternoon we had our new appliances delivered. Prior to this we filled two garbage bags with the contents of the old refrigerator. I swear one bag was entirely full of fast food condiments. It's good to get a fresh start. It looks so good to open the Frigidaire door and see near barren shelves. It takes me back to less affluent days.
Amanda came over Saturday night and we recorded drum tracks in between watching the Rams get defeated. I had a three mic setup going which seemed to work out decently. Two overheads (in stereo) and one pointed at the bass drum. I was pleased with the results.
Sunday we had a substitute circuit overseer who was lively enough. Rebekah and I came home and tidied up a 6a2 song that we have had in the works for the last couple of weeks. Brandon is the king of the breakup song. That is the subject matter of 90% of his songs. But I can't complain when they are all winners. If you are inclined, check out "Conclusion".
Amanda came over Saturday night and we recorded drum tracks in between watching the Rams get defeated. I had a three mic setup going which seemed to work out decently. Two overheads (in stereo) and one pointed at the bass drum. I was pleased with the results.
Sunday we had a substitute circuit overseer who was lively enough. Rebekah and I came home and tidied up a 6a2 song that we have had in the works for the last couple of weeks. Brandon is the king of the breakup song. That is the subject matter of 90% of his songs. But I can't complain when they are all winners. If you are inclined, check out "Conclusion".
Thursday, January 08, 2004
I'm Published
My sister did some artist editions of a small children's book we did together. I wrote the thing and she did the illustrations and bound the thing. It's kind of neat.
I've also been thinking seriously of diving back into my novel. I'm ready to edit it. It'll be more than adding commas. I'll have to tear it down and build it up piece by piece, word by word, sentence by sentence.
Am I ready to publish it? There is a part of me that wants to finish it, lock it up, and forget about it. It would be a scary thing to have it out there with my name on the cover. I guess that is what pseudonyms are for.
I've also been thinking seriously of diving back into my novel. I'm ready to edit it. It'll be more than adding commas. I'll have to tear it down and build it up piece by piece, word by word, sentence by sentence.
Am I ready to publish it? There is a part of me that wants to finish it, lock it up, and forget about it. It would be a scary thing to have it out there with my name on the cover. I guess that is what pseudonyms are for.
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
Ask a stupid question, get a million viruses
It is at times like this that my disdain for Microsoft grows. I had a question about their SQL Server product that I posted on one Microsoft's newsgroups. Since then my e-mail has been slammed by viruses. At least five daily. Fortunately, I the virus blocker on the server is kicking them out. It's still annoying.
But even more annoying was the stupid vegan girl at Subway last night. She was with a group of friends and making a huge, loud production about how she didn't eat meat.
Vegan Girl: "I don't know what I can eat here. I guess lettuce and bread. Y'know I'm a vegetarian."
Friend #1: "I think I'm gonna go across the street to KFC"
Vegan Girl: "Me too. I'm going to get some mashed potatoes because I'm vegetarian."
Friend #2: "KFC sounds good."
Vegan Girl: "You want me to pick you up something? I could get you some green beans and ... ... what's it called? ... y'know that stuff on the bone. I don't know what it's called because I don't eat meat"
Anthony: "CHICKEN! It's called chicken! I get it you're vegetarian. Does that also make you stupid?"
Well that I didn't yell at her. But I wanted to. Bad.
But even more annoying was the stupid vegan girl at Subway last night. She was with a group of friends and making a huge, loud production about how she didn't eat meat.
Vegan Girl: "I don't know what I can eat here. I guess lettuce and bread. Y'know I'm a vegetarian."
Friend #1: "I think I'm gonna go across the street to KFC"
Vegan Girl: "Me too. I'm going to get some mashed potatoes because I'm vegetarian."
Friend #2: "KFC sounds good."
Vegan Girl: "You want me to pick you up something? I could get you some green beans and ... ... what's it called? ... y'know that stuff on the bone. I don't know what it's called because I don't eat meat"
Anthony: "CHICKEN! It's called chicken! I get it you're vegetarian. Does that also make you stupid?"
Well that I didn't yell at her. But I wanted to. Bad.
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
Monday, January 05, 2004
getting fixed
I spent part of the weekend fixing things. I bought a pipe snake and tore into a nasty clog that was causing our kitchen sink to back up into our tub. (It's really gross to go to take a shower and find yourself staring at the reminents of last weeks tacos.)
The real achievement was fixing the faulting vibrato on my combo-organ. I soldered on some new capacitors on the circuit board. Once I tackle the tone decay it should be running like a dream.
We went to the zoo Saturday at Mina's prompting. The zoo during the winter is great. You've got the place to yourself. The animals appear more at ease. The only bad spot was the broken hot cocoa machine - it would've made for a better day.
I'm looking forward to this week. My sister is coming up for a visit and I'm gonna try to cram in some quality recording time. Rebekah and I have been writing songs using the drum machine but we sorely need a real drummer for these tracks. I'm dying to get these songs laid down.
The real achievement was fixing the faulting vibrato on my combo-organ. I soldered on some new capacitors on the circuit board. Once I tackle the tone decay it should be running like a dream.
We went to the zoo Saturday at Mina's prompting. The zoo during the winter is great. You've got the place to yourself. The animals appear more at ease. The only bad spot was the broken hot cocoa machine - it would've made for a better day.
I'm looking forward to this week. My sister is coming up for a visit and I'm gonna try to cram in some quality recording time. Rebekah and I have been writing songs using the drum machine but we sorely need a real drummer for these tracks. I'm dying to get these songs laid down.
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