deeds done dirt cheap today
the deadline for submission for next year's SPARK festival is Friday, I was prodded this AM.
edited and polished a bit of Gregory and I's last recording from Mother Fools in dilligent behavior. and just did the dishes.
deadlines are not a feature of my professional life, in an administrative sense.
there isn't much you would call "administrative" in my life these days. and hooray for that!
Greg is happy with the results of my efforts, so it's a keeper then. for my tastes, the marimba samples sounded too bright. this might be listened to on headphones if listened to at all.
T-Bone Burnette in a recent interview talked about how musicians and producers might be good fellows and gals to not punish the listener. something along the lines of musicians ruining peoples hearing being akin to cobblers cutting off peoples feet!
lucked out squeaking in the fixer upper tracks! whether it increases our chances of a better performance slot remains to be seen. that may be a less than petite death. my preference would be to do our thing in a modest size hall with a seated attentive audience. fingers crossed. our past gig in the nightclub is the less-kind but likely scenario, but that would be fine too.
listen:
Tom Waits - Blood Money
Fairport Convention - What We Did On Our Holidays
Richard Thompson
Heartless Bastards
Dub Trio
RTQE
read:
going to the library tomorrow, whooee
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
nodust
seems like it's busy-busy-busy as we get into the fall season.
a mad rush of social activities and lotsa fun things.
last night there was a wedding and reception at the bar for one of our bartenders. quite the party - I missed the ceremony with coming from playing in Stoughton with the guys on the afternoon. did manage to get all dressed up and roll in around 7:30 but only made it until 10ish thanks to that dastardly Lake Louis Scotch Ale! and then some PBR - hoo hoo A most pleasant celebratory time tho. early to bed it was. today is another fullish one. the usual spit-shine of the bar (done) and picking tracks to play on WORT tonight. that EVP coffee is gonna keep me buzzing tho.
-zoom-
listen:
Tom Waits - Blood Money
Björk - Homogenic
müm - Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy
a mad rush of social activities and lotsa fun things.
last night there was a wedding and reception at the bar for one of our bartenders. quite the party - I missed the ceremony with coming from playing in Stoughton with the guys on the afternoon. did manage to get all dressed up and roll in around 7:30 but only made it until 10ish thanks to that dastardly Lake Louis Scotch Ale! and then some PBR - hoo hoo A most pleasant celebratory time tho. early to bed it was. today is another fullish one. the usual spit-shine of the bar (done) and picking tracks to play on WORT tonight. that EVP coffee is gonna keep me buzzing tho.
-zoom-
listen:
Tom Waits - Blood Money
Björk - Homogenic
müm - Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
fallingness
Hiya,
Welcome to fall, my right favorite season. (2nd being Spring)
The leaves are gathering beneath our hooves and the sound of geese flyovers are frequent in the ambience.
It's super sleeping weather, but as of late it's getting to be 'fall asleep on the couch and wake up with that book on the floor' and other behaviors of lassitude.
Thankful to be getting around cycling everywhere still. Winter biking may be happening this year. I'm tough now, yeah.
Another thing is I just can't get enough to eat. It's a struggle with the current vegitarian discipline. With this hunger, how long until I cave in and eat fleshy parts of creatures that walk and have faces?
Music is being played every week or so with the guys in Stoughton. This Saturday is going to be another Primordial Soup jam, lucky me.
Things have been up and down at work. Some busy nites, many slow. The slow nights are difficult. Feels like the future is uncertain for me now. I thought people would always want to come out to drink and listen to music. I'm pretty sure the sun will rise tomorrow.
Leading a boring life, with my lack of consumer confidence and all. As far as the exchange of money defines one's identity. Seldom eat out and currently no TV/DVD option. Cooking and reading.
It's time for lunch, offline.
listen:
bjork - vespertine
Kate Bush - The Dreaming
Heartless Bastards - All This Time
(yes Michelle, I like 'chick singers')
Tom Waits - live '08 (NPR All Songs Considered), Bone Machine
Tortoise - Standards, A Lazarus Taxon
read:
National Geo
Tape Op
J. G. Bennett - The Dramatic Universe series 1 (Hazard)
lotsa news online
..I need a fun book!
Welcome to fall, my right favorite season. (2nd being Spring)
The leaves are gathering beneath our hooves and the sound of geese flyovers are frequent in the ambience.
It's super sleeping weather, but as of late it's getting to be 'fall asleep on the couch and wake up with that book on the floor' and other behaviors of lassitude.
Thankful to be getting around cycling everywhere still. Winter biking may be happening this year. I'm tough now, yeah.
Another thing is I just can't get enough to eat. It's a struggle with the current vegitarian discipline. With this hunger, how long until I cave in and eat fleshy parts of creatures that walk and have faces?
Music is being played every week or so with the guys in Stoughton. This Saturday is going to be another Primordial Soup jam, lucky me.
Things have been up and down at work. Some busy nites, many slow. The slow nights are difficult. Feels like the future is uncertain for me now. I thought people would always want to come out to drink and listen to music. I'm pretty sure the sun will rise tomorrow.
Leading a boring life, with my lack of consumer confidence and all. As far as the exchange of money defines one's identity. Seldom eat out and currently no TV/DVD option. Cooking and reading.
It's time for lunch, offline.
listen:
bjork - vespertine
Kate Bush - The Dreaming
Heartless Bastards - All This Time
(yes Michelle, I like 'chick singers')
Tom Waits - live '08 (NPR All Songs Considered), Bone Machine
Tortoise - Standards, A Lazarus Taxon
read:
National Geo
Tape Op
J. G. Bennett - The Dramatic Universe series 1 (Hazard)
lotsa news online
..I need a fun book!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
another year older
Swell performance from the duo at the coffeehouse last night. Those who attended were treated to yummy carrot cake which pal Shawn baked. The owners of the coffeehouse, Jon and Stephanie, were there working -they are such lovely supportive folks! Went out to Mickey's for a bevvie with Greg and Jolanda afterwards. Amazing that it is still nice enough weather to sit out on their patio.
There's a recording to check out at some point, after the glow subsides. Finally pressing the Gemini iKey into use. A great 'bit of kit' it is for cheap (and green) recording. I have a funny relationship with recordings of my performances. They are certainly useful as a reality check and tool to discover what worked and what needs work at far as the mechanics of drumming. Missing is the otherness of the experience. That is, the connection between audience-performer-music that exists outside linear time. Often the recordings seem hopelessly one-dimensional for the most part. But they are a way to represent oneself at a future date. Sometimes the notes and beats stand the test of time.
Heading down to the Farmer's Market shortly. Waiting for the sun to get up a little higher so the biking isn't so cold.
From the older and perhaps wiser dept:
I bailed on the teaching job. It was the wrong place for me to be. As I get older it sometimes seems like my life is defined by what I no longer find acceptable. I bet that sounds crotchety to you, but to me it's minimizing the potential for falling into traps. I have been trapped by career moves that seemed great on the surface, but once you dig a little deeper the truth of what you are about to be involved in becomes clearer. In this case, the truth is that I do not feel qualified to teach the subject. It would be a struggle to maintain authority and inspire the students. After looking under the hood, talking with folks who have been involved with the school, the red flags were waving at me. Not right is not right. I'd rather be on a tight budget and devote time and energy to the positive pursuits of my life.
Looks like the sun has risen. Time to get some fresh produce.
listen:
The Bears
Joni Mitchell - Blue
Monk - Alone in San Francisco
read:
magazines
Facebook pages and News (online)
There's a recording to check out at some point, after the glow subsides. Finally pressing the Gemini iKey into use. A great 'bit of kit' it is for cheap (and green) recording. I have a funny relationship with recordings of my performances. They are certainly useful as a reality check and tool to discover what worked and what needs work at far as the mechanics of drumming. Missing is the otherness of the experience. That is, the connection between audience-performer-music that exists outside linear time. Often the recordings seem hopelessly one-dimensional for the most part. But they are a way to represent oneself at a future date. Sometimes the notes and beats stand the test of time.
Heading down to the Farmer's Market shortly. Waiting for the sun to get up a little higher so the biking isn't so cold.
From the older and perhaps wiser dept:
I bailed on the teaching job. It was the wrong place for me to be. As I get older it sometimes seems like my life is defined by what I no longer find acceptable. I bet that sounds crotchety to you, but to me it's minimizing the potential for falling into traps. I have been trapped by career moves that seemed great on the surface, but once you dig a little deeper the truth of what you are about to be involved in becomes clearer. In this case, the truth is that I do not feel qualified to teach the subject. It would be a struggle to maintain authority and inspire the students. After looking under the hood, talking with folks who have been involved with the school, the red flags were waving at me. Not right is not right. I'd rather be on a tight budget and devote time and energy to the positive pursuits of my life.
Looks like the sun has risen. Time to get some fresh produce.
listen:
The Bears
Joni Mitchell - Blue
Monk - Alone in San Francisco
read:
magazines
Facebook pages and News (online)
Saturday, September 20, 2008
in anticipation of the anniversary of my arising
Buddies at the Madison Media Institute recruited Tom with words of encouragement to teach a class and I officially accepted the job yesterday. My first class is on the 26th, which is also my birthday. Mixed feelings about that, but I'm going where I'm needed and hope to earn something resembling a decent living with the addition of this part time gig. As with anything new, it's a little frightening.
And speaking of gigs, Friday at 8PM will be a duo performance with Gregory Taylor and myself at Mother Fools. Huzzah!
I usually don't make a big deal about my birthday, in fact I have kept it a secret some years. This year I'm gonna treat myself to this night of music making and cake and coffee as opposed to getting obliterated. I was planning on some of that Thursday at midnight, but with an 8AM class the next morning (and my 1st one!) that's not going to happen.
listen:
the voices of my friends
the drumbeat of time marching on
read:
MIDI info on the web
National Geographic
Handsonic manual
And speaking of gigs, Friday at 8PM will be a duo performance with Gregory Taylor and myself at Mother Fools. Huzzah!
I usually don't make a big deal about my birthday, in fact I have kept it a secret some years. This year I'm gonna treat myself to this night of music making and cake and coffee as opposed to getting obliterated. I was planning on some of that Thursday at midnight, but with an 8AM class the next morning (and my 1st one!) that's not going to happen.
listen:
the voices of my friends
the drumbeat of time marching on
read:
MIDI info on the web
National Geographic
Handsonic manual
Friday, September 12, 2008
The first falling leaves from one tree in my 'hood are a gathering on the porch. Some cool nights, good for reflection and much needed deepness of sleep.
Discovered the ease of shopping for victuals at the Wednesday Farmers Market on MLK Jr. Blvd. It has everything I like, without the crowds. The Saturday Farmers Market on the capitol square is OK if you can get there super early.
Passed on a job offer from pals this week. It was kind of them to send this my way, but it was not a place I want to work or a job I want to do. And the commute would suck. Anything that makes me have to drive any distance, especially with winter coming on seems precarious.
2 weeks without a working TV, and it's really not so bad. Reading on the porch and getting through some household tasks.
from the paper 'journal':
make your home a welcoming space
Getting there.
Pal Gregory and I are making with the electro-acoustic duo coming up on Friday 9/26 at Mother Fools.
This day is also my birthday. Task for today, on this re-re-built computer, is to make a poster and some flyers, so this rare gig is not a secret from those who may want to be there.
Tonight is going to be the end of 8 days straight of work. Short shifts for the most part, but a day of nothing scheduled will be nice.
Monday will be a drumming night with Sam and Patrick. Man o man am I looking forward to that! They are good pals and we have a strong connection moving air together. And I need to drum sooo bad. Feel like I'm on a fast or something..
listen:
Xiu Xiu live
High on Fire
The Beatles
laugh:
Pleaseeasaur live
read:
Milan Kundera - The Joke
eat:
spicy Red Beans and Jasmine Rice
Walnuts, Golden Raisins, Romain Lettuce
Golden Beets
Discovered the ease of shopping for victuals at the Wednesday Farmers Market on MLK Jr. Blvd. It has everything I like, without the crowds. The Saturday Farmers Market on the capitol square is OK if you can get there super early.
Passed on a job offer from pals this week. It was kind of them to send this my way, but it was not a place I want to work or a job I want to do. And the commute would suck. Anything that makes me have to drive any distance, especially with winter coming on seems precarious.
2 weeks without a working TV, and it's really not so bad. Reading on the porch and getting through some household tasks.
from the paper 'journal':
make your home a welcoming space
Getting there.
Pal Gregory and I are making with the electro-acoustic duo coming up on Friday 9/26 at Mother Fools.
This day is also my birthday. Task for today, on this re-re-built computer, is to make a poster and some flyers, so this rare gig is not a secret from those who may want to be there.
Tonight is going to be the end of 8 days straight of work. Short shifts for the most part, but a day of nothing scheduled will be nice.
Monday will be a drumming night with Sam and Patrick. Man o man am I looking forward to that! They are good pals and we have a strong connection moving air together. And I need to drum sooo bad. Feel like I'm on a fast or something..
listen:
Xiu Xiu live
High on Fire
The Beatles
laugh:
Pleaseeasaur live
read:
Milan Kundera - The Joke
eat:
spicy Red Beans and Jasmine Rice
Walnuts, Golden Raisins, Romain Lettuce
Golden Beets
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