I've always been someone who has a love of rich full sounding music. I like "epic".
I'd like to share with you a list of instuments, both rare and common that I would have in my perfect "orchestra".
The Beam - a gigantic custom built instument using 24 piano strings it is perhaps most famous in its use on the soundtrack of the film - Chronos. I love it's singing highs and it's rumbling lows.
The Glass Harmonica - invented by Benjamin Franklin, this is a haunting instument that is really just a mechanized version of the ol' wet finger on a wine glass trick. Bet you never knew what they used for that high part in Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy -
The Pipe Organ - You Tube can't do this instrument justice... maybe it's my Catholic upbringing but something about the pipe organ shakes me to my very cockles. No wonder the church uses it... how could you not be inspired by this thing!
The Vibraphone - Ah the great calm after the pipe organs and beams. This is one of the most relaxing and immersive instruments on my list. I just fall right in. My favourite performance is actually on a contemporary track, "Wake Up" by Mad Season. Not a spectacular complex song, but wow... emotion
Timpany - Well we need some more percussion don't we? Lordy.. .this list is full of it. Who can resist the timpany, when I was in school I would spare no effort to try and play the timpany in the band room at least once a week.
Tubular Bells - another old favourite from band class. It's the peircing nature of this one that I love so.
Moog Synth - well c'mon - aside from revolutionizing music, it might be the best instument invented in the past 300 years.
So there's a good start to my orchestra. I'm sure there are many more... not sure how to get all these together, or even what we'd play, but they shape my sound and what I love about music.
What instruments do you like?
Monday, October 05, 2009
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Coffee
mmmm. One of the side-effects of marrying Rhonda is that I've become a real coffee snob. We've got our favourite coffees, grind our own every morning and have graduated from the peice of shit Black and Decker drip coffee maker to a French-press. Tres chiq.
I'm really enjoying the French-pressed coffee.. more flavour, less bitter. The only method of making coffee I like more is the percoltor we use when we're camping. Of course it could have to do with the fact that my coffee is 50% Baileys when we're camping. Nah.
Oh and it makes me ponder why people drink Tim Hortons coffee... but then I guess no one said society was SMART.
I'm really enjoying the French-pressed coffee.. more flavour, less bitter. The only method of making coffee I like more is the percoltor we use when we're camping. Of course it could have to do with the fact that my coffee is 50% Baileys when we're camping. Nah.
Oh and it makes me ponder why people drink Tim Hortons coffee... but then I guess no one said society was SMART.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Futurism!
It's pretty impossible to miss the speed of modernization lately. I'm not sure if its consumerism or just that we reached a critical mass of invention and creativity, but the world is becoming a brighter, safer, cleaner, more controlled, organized and seamless world. It's strange really, but I can see society and civilization as we'rea directed becoming more integrated with nature again in the future. Technology will be there and VERY advanced, but it will work in harmony with nature. Garden of Eden with wireless access on your iPhone. High-speed.
But here's the ticket. It'l be the iPhone Membrane. A film the size of cigarettes with a permanently sticky back side made by 3M. You can peel an stick it anywhere, but usually you just keep it on your forearm. You can also stick it to a thin stand or any perpendicular area which will project it on a wall or flat surface for wider view. Takes input from touch, audio, heat, barometric, GPS, video, wi-fi, cell, satellite... whatever we can hook it to.
Cars I have trouble with. I think the basics are gonna stay the same. People like their cars, I think we'll get better at making driving safer, cleaner, easier and faster. We live in a world that is becoming more democratic, whether it seems so or not. It's a hell of a lot more democratic today than it's ever been in history. People want to do what they want, cars are part of that. Long distance travel will continue to be done in transit fashion, I think someone is gonna invent a really quick blimp. The prospect of space flight excites me, I just hope we have resources to keep up with it.
Biology and medicine are gonna get interesting soon. We do crazy shit now and pass most of it off as ethical. We're only gonna get better at that. Here we come Rhino Man!
Nuclear future is curious. I try not to get in a panic, but odds are pretty good that we're going to run into another catastrophic nuclear event in the future. I know that since times like Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, nuclear safety has become incredibly advanced and maintenance schedules are followed meticulously. But there are getting to be a lot of old nuclear reactors in this old planet, and there's a lot of old waste lying around. And I've seen what can happen to a building if it's not cared for. So if something happens that our attention is diverted for a while... we could see some pretty shitty stuff happen. ie - zombie attack takes out North America. Stay away from cities with nuke reactors.
My band the Criminal Kid is gonna kick some ass next Friday at the Exchange. We gonna have fun. And drink cold beers together afterwards.
The oceans will all die off and I can finally go swimming without worrying about being bit by a jellyfish. Shudder.
But here's the ticket. It'l be the iPhone Membrane. A film the size of cigarettes with a permanently sticky back side made by 3M. You can peel an stick it anywhere, but usually you just keep it on your forearm. You can also stick it to a thin stand or any perpendicular area which will project it on a wall or flat surface for wider view. Takes input from touch, audio, heat, barometric, GPS, video, wi-fi, cell, satellite... whatever we can hook it to.
Cars I have trouble with. I think the basics are gonna stay the same. People like their cars, I think we'll get better at making driving safer, cleaner, easier and faster. We live in a world that is becoming more democratic, whether it seems so or not. It's a hell of a lot more democratic today than it's ever been in history. People want to do what they want, cars are part of that. Long distance travel will continue to be done in transit fashion, I think someone is gonna invent a really quick blimp. The prospect of space flight excites me, I just hope we have resources to keep up with it.
Biology and medicine are gonna get interesting soon. We do crazy shit now and pass most of it off as ethical. We're only gonna get better at that. Here we come Rhino Man!
Nuclear future is curious. I try not to get in a panic, but odds are pretty good that we're going to run into another catastrophic nuclear event in the future. I know that since times like Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, nuclear safety has become incredibly advanced and maintenance schedules are followed meticulously. But there are getting to be a lot of old nuclear reactors in this old planet, and there's a lot of old waste lying around. And I've seen what can happen to a building if it's not cared for. So if something happens that our attention is diverted for a while... we could see some pretty shitty stuff happen. ie - zombie attack takes out North America. Stay away from cities with nuke reactors.
My band the Criminal Kid is gonna kick some ass next Friday at the Exchange. We gonna have fun. And drink cold beers together afterwards.
The oceans will all die off and I can finally go swimming without worrying about being bit by a jellyfish. Shudder.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Listen to her....
Can't help but laugh a bit. Kayah's in the kitchen emptying every can and box from the Lazy Susan, and I could care less because she's leaving me alone. Can't say the same for the dogs. FEED YOURSELVES!
Noticing how painfully out of date the o'l blog is right now. Not that it's FULL of dead links, but there are more than a few dead blogs, most of the projects I've walked away from and crap I never even look at anymore still up. Bleh! Shoulda upgraded to the new blogger what... 3 years ago now?
Spent the afternoon bored out of my freaking skull at work. Had all my work done by 1:00, the internet there is severely limited and monitored and I'm tucked off in this corner in the middle of no-one since I'm a new position and they just put me somewhere. Stole my red stapler too.
I feel like I did when I first started Pilot's World... just sort of confused as to what I wanted it to be and really just typing words in hopes that something stuck. I don't seem to be able to come up with anything brilliant like the miracles of black and white or the root beer contest. I mean I could try sequels, like HD vs normal TV or a cola contest.. .but c'mon.
Well... I'm just gonna keep typing and typing until something comes out.....
Noticing how painfully out of date the o'l blog is right now. Not that it's FULL of dead links, but there are more than a few dead blogs, most of the projects I've walked away from and crap I never even look at anymore still up. Bleh! Shoulda upgraded to the new blogger what... 3 years ago now?
Spent the afternoon bored out of my freaking skull at work. Had all my work done by 1:00, the internet there is severely limited and monitored and I'm tucked off in this corner in the middle of no-one since I'm a new position and they just put me somewhere. Stole my red stapler too.
I feel like I did when I first started Pilot's World... just sort of confused as to what I wanted it to be and really just typing words in hopes that something stuck. I don't seem to be able to come up with anything brilliant like the miracles of black and white or the root beer contest. I mean I could try sequels, like HD vs normal TV or a cola contest.. .but c'mon.
Well... I'm just gonna keep typing and typing until something comes out.....
Sunday, September 27, 2009
I'm so dizzy, my head is spinning....
So the first show by The Criminal Kid is less than 2 weeks away now. October 9 at the Exchange, we finally unleash a year of work on an unsuspecting public. I say a year, but some of these songs go back as many as 5 years. We had practice tonight and what a jam it was. Doing lead vocals for the first time on a few songs in the band. Getting more confident in my singing, which is making my performance better with every try.
Been enjoying the family's new MacBook Pro this month. Still trying to get all the cables we need to plug our stuff into it, but I think we've all been pretty floored at how easy it's been to do tasks that were lengthy or even impossible on our Windows/Linux computers. I'm not saying we wouldn't have the same ease had we spent the same amount of money on a Windows laptop, but I've had nothing but success with the MacBook. Except the weird-ass Firewire port... but we'll have that fixed soon enough.
Working on a family budget of late. Month end is coming up, so I'll have another spurt of work to do soon enough. I've got a solid game-plan now, so it's a matter of getting it all rolling then supplementing it and moulding it to our needs. Rhonda and I are actually on pretty solid fiscal ground, so we've go nowhere but up to go once we've got this little project into full swing.
Been enjoying the family's new MacBook Pro this month. Still trying to get all the cables we need to plug our stuff into it, but I think we've all been pretty floored at how easy it's been to do tasks that were lengthy or even impossible on our Windows/Linux computers. I'm not saying we wouldn't have the same ease had we spent the same amount of money on a Windows laptop, but I've had nothing but success with the MacBook. Except the weird-ass Firewire port... but we'll have that fixed soon enough.
Working on a family budget of late. Month end is coming up, so I'll have another spurt of work to do soon enough. I've got a solid game-plan now, so it's a matter of getting it all rolling then supplementing it and moulding it to our needs. Rhonda and I are actually on pretty solid fiscal ground, so we've go nowhere but up to go once we've got this little project into full swing.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Hookers!
So one of the more unusual occurrences that have happened at my place since I moved in has been recurring visits by hookers. Like real live sex-workers. They've come as early as 8 in the evening straight through to 6:30AM.
Last night I had my visit at 6:30 in the morning. Most respond quickly to a "You're in the wrong place, go away or I'm calling the police". But last night's was quite insistent that she was in the right place. She even got a text you know. She was so messed up on something that she was leaning stomach-shoulders and face against my back door. When she did finally leave she took a pretty zig-zag path across the yard.
I'm not really sure what to so about this all. It's very sporadic, but it does happen with some regularity. It's my opinion that my neighbor is sending them as they seem to correlate with our interactions with them. But how do you prove that? My concerns are that a pimp is gonna get pissed and show up with a weapon sometime, or that I'll forget to lock the door one night and next thing, one of these tramps will be in my house. That would have happened last night as she was really trying at the door.
The police in this city are basically useless. I called them the first couple times it happened, and they just said ""well we're busy right now, just lock the doors." So they just continue to come.
I'll keep y'all posted.
Last night I had my visit at 6:30 in the morning. Most respond quickly to a "You're in the wrong place, go away or I'm calling the police". But last night's was quite insistent that she was in the right place. She even got a text you know. She was so messed up on something that she was leaning stomach-shoulders and face against my back door. When she did finally leave she took a pretty zig-zag path across the yard.
I'm not really sure what to so about this all. It's very sporadic, but it does happen with some regularity. It's my opinion that my neighbor is sending them as they seem to correlate with our interactions with them. But how do you prove that? My concerns are that a pimp is gonna get pissed and show up with a weapon sometime, or that I'll forget to lock the door one night and next thing, one of these tramps will be in my house. That would have happened last night as she was really trying at the door.
The police in this city are basically useless. I called them the first couple times it happened, and they just said ""well we're busy right now, just lock the doors." So they just continue to come.
I'll keep y'all posted.
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Empire Strikes Back
My favourite Star Wars movie is by far The Empire Strikes Back. Star Wars is great, and Jedi is ok and the rest need no description, but Empire is best.
The best thing about all the other movies, is they make Empire better.
Seriously, without EP2 and EP3 letting us know how fucked up powerful Anakin was, times would not seem as desperate when Luke goes to confront Vader the first time.
I remember watching TESB the first time in school in French. I was just totally damaged watching Luke hang there, holding his arm and screaming. Probably the darkest thing my 5 year old brain had ever seen. I'm pretty sure it was the first Star Wars movie I watched. Its the first I remember.
Sometimes I wish I could go back and watch The Empire Strikes Back again for the first time.
The best thing about all the other movies, is they make Empire better.
Seriously, without EP2 and EP3 letting us know how fucked up powerful Anakin was, times would not seem as desperate when Luke goes to confront Vader the first time.
I remember watching TESB the first time in school in French. I was just totally damaged watching Luke hang there, holding his arm and screaming. Probably the darkest thing my 5 year old brain had ever seen. I'm pretty sure it was the first Star Wars movie I watched. Its the first I remember.
Sometimes I wish I could go back and watch The Empire Strikes Back again for the first time.
Friday, September 04, 2009
What's this?
And as her blog slowed, his began to gain momentum.
So Rhonda has managed to get me into this "SyFy" (fags) show called Ghost Hunters. Ask anyone who knows me remotely well what my top two favourite movies are - Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters 2. Hands down. My first winter project will be the new Wii game. God damn! Ghost hunters is fun because it shows a great way to BE a Ghostbuster. If I can just develop that and learn how to be a Jedi ...
Sometimes I think of upgrading and re-vamping Pilots World. The domain is a dating site now and I think maybe 2 people hang out. Who knows. Maybe I need to try a new web project. Retire Pilots World as my personal web project.
But we shall see. I've been thinking.
Doing a good chunk of the online work for The Criminal Kid lately. Been fun to toss together as a coherent project. So much of it is done so easily with social networking lately that I'd like to take the webpage to another level. Do something else with it. Need to think hard about it.
But. Gotta go.
Bye!
So Rhonda has managed to get me into this "SyFy" (fags) show called Ghost Hunters. Ask anyone who knows me remotely well what my top two favourite movies are - Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters 2. Hands down. My first winter project will be the new Wii game. God damn! Ghost hunters is fun because it shows a great way to BE a Ghostbuster. If I can just develop that and learn how to be a Jedi ...
Sometimes I think of upgrading and re-vamping Pilots World. The domain is a dating site now and I think maybe 2 people hang out. Who knows. Maybe I need to try a new web project. Retire Pilots World as my personal web project.
But we shall see. I've been thinking.
Doing a good chunk of the online work for The Criminal Kid lately. Been fun to toss together as a coherent project. So much of it is done so easily with social networking lately that I'd like to take the webpage to another level. Do something else with it. Need to think hard about it.
But. Gotta go.
Bye!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
So I'm sittin' here....`
... with a baby and a computer on my lap, and I'm thinkin' - "I do NOT want to do the internet anymore" outloud. Internally I'm thinkin' "That bass is sitting 2 feet behind me." Now the logical thing would be to put the baby to bed. But the child, she teeths, and you better bet your sweet bippy that if I put this child down now, a microphone straight from hell will broadcast to my childs lungs the sound of a woman being raped, and to be honest, after this morning, I need a break from that shit. Seriously.
So Rhonda suggests that I blog.
Here's the thing about blogging. The only time I really enjoy it, and the only time I think I'm really letting people read quality writing is when I'm being my most honest self. So I say what I think, which means I get in shit later from someone who takes offence to my hell-rape analogy up there. But you haven't sat with this child screaming for an hour. If that's not what hell sounds like, well then I'll eat my goddamn hat. I don't need that shit. Seriously.
So this leaves me with the question - "What should I blog?".
"You're four paragraphs in Pilot. You retard".
Shut up.
Dick.
So I'm starting a new position at SGI in about a week and a half. My last day as a Building Operator is exactly one week from today. Then three days off and I'm a Clerk. I've never been a Clerk before. A Clerk 5 no less. In Underwriting in Accounts or something then in deliquent accounts, then something .... and voila I show up on Monday to a desk instead of a locker for the first time in my life. Sheeeeit. I'm sure I'll do fine, I can run a computer better than my coffee machine, I have a rudimentary system of personal and time organization, I passed all the tests my first try... and did very well on several, blasted through the interview and here we are, considering the fact that I could be turning in my last uniform on Thursday.
Life changin'. Not yet sure how to handle that shit. Seriously.
Nuclear reactor in Saskatchewan. Huh. Always felt safe in Saskatchewan because we didn't have nukes and due to our small economy never would. You know, even though our economy is supposedly doing well, it's still small. Nukes? We can't afford that. And this isn't just about the hundred gagillion dollars this will cost and how much that can go over budget. This is anout the MILLIONS OF GAGILLIONS it's going to cost when this PRIVATELY OWNED company dissolves in what 10, 20, 300, 2000 years when this company dissolves and this fucking death trap is spewing radioactive iodine all over the goddamn place and the baby's are coming out with heads the size of watermelons. This is a stupid idea. Mark my words.
Have another fish tank, so I moved my Tetra tank to a larger tank in my living rooms and moved the small tank to the bedroom and started a Molly tank. What a treat. They've neen having babies and I've kept a "survival of the fittest" rule on the tank and have a nice balance of fish in the tank right now. If it gets crowded in the tank I'll introduce some "natural selection" of my own, but for now they're a delightful troop. I actually want to replace the tetra tank now with guppies and some more anumated fish like moors - they're so fun.. So that's the tank after the tetras - two years away likely, but I can plan a major tank-reno and go to town.
My band The Criminal Kid released our first demo online a couple weeks ago. I'm not supposed to be pushing it around, but goddamn it, its out there and I'd like people to check it out. I'm really proud of all three songs, they sound great, and we're doing some SUPER exciting writing and work and I cannot wait to find a gig.
Think that's pretty much all for now. Babe is stirring a bit form the typing, and I might have found something to do online.
Be well everyone, thanks for reading!
So Rhonda suggests that I blog.
Here's the thing about blogging. The only time I really enjoy it, and the only time I think I'm really letting people read quality writing is when I'm being my most honest self. So I say what I think, which means I get in shit later from someone who takes offence to my hell-rape analogy up there. But you haven't sat with this child screaming for an hour. If that's not what hell sounds like, well then I'll eat my goddamn hat. I don't need that shit. Seriously.
So this leaves me with the question - "What should I blog?".
"You're four paragraphs in Pilot. You retard".
Shut up.
Dick.
So I'm starting a new position at SGI in about a week and a half. My last day as a Building Operator is exactly one week from today. Then three days off and I'm a Clerk. I've never been a Clerk before. A Clerk 5 no less. In Underwriting in Accounts or something then in deliquent accounts, then something .... and voila I show up on Monday to a desk instead of a locker for the first time in my life. Sheeeeit. I'm sure I'll do fine, I can run a computer better than my coffee machine, I have a rudimentary system of personal and time organization, I passed all the tests my first try... and did very well on several, blasted through the interview and here we are, considering the fact that I could be turning in my last uniform on Thursday.
Life changin'. Not yet sure how to handle that shit. Seriously.
Nuclear reactor in Saskatchewan. Huh. Always felt safe in Saskatchewan because we didn't have nukes and due to our small economy never would. You know, even though our economy is supposedly doing well, it's still small. Nukes? We can't afford that. And this isn't just about the hundred gagillion dollars this will cost and how much that can go over budget. This is anout the MILLIONS OF GAGILLIONS it's going to cost when this PRIVATELY OWNED company dissolves in what 10, 20, 300, 2000 years when this company dissolves and this fucking death trap is spewing radioactive iodine all over the goddamn place and the baby's are coming out with heads the size of watermelons. This is a stupid idea. Mark my words.
Have another fish tank, so I moved my Tetra tank to a larger tank in my living rooms and moved the small tank to the bedroom and started a Molly tank. What a treat. They've neen having babies and I've kept a "survival of the fittest" rule on the tank and have a nice balance of fish in the tank right now. If it gets crowded in the tank I'll introduce some "natural selection" of my own, but for now they're a delightful troop. I actually want to replace the tetra tank now with guppies and some more anumated fish like moors - they're so fun.. So that's the tank after the tetras - two years away likely, but I can plan a major tank-reno and go to town.
My band The Criminal Kid released our first demo online a couple weeks ago. I'm not supposed to be pushing it around, but goddamn it, its out there and I'd like people to check it out. I'm really proud of all three songs, they sound great, and we're doing some SUPER exciting writing and work and I cannot wait to find a gig.
Think that's pretty much all for now. Babe is stirring a bit form the typing, and I might have found something to do online.
Be well everyone, thanks for reading!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Well Rob, I dunno ...
So I just caught my old buddy and band mate - and fellow scout, stamp collector and occasional dart collector - among many other things.... Rob putting links to his bands Cafepress page in the comments of my blog -
http://www.cafepress.com/lingerloft
Now Rob is very welcome to do this on this blog, afterall he's one of my oldest and dearest friends, and me casa etc. Add to this the number of times I've stepped on the poor boys toes, it wouldn't be my place to get pissy about it.
So I'll just make a small winking nudge at it. ;)
You're one of maybe 8 people that would get away with that. I have no idea how you subverted the CAPCHA. :P
http://www.cafepress.com/lingerloft
Now Rob is very welcome to do this on this blog, afterall he's one of my oldest and dearest friends, and me casa etc. Add to this the number of times I've stepped on the poor boys toes, it wouldn't be my place to get pissy about it.
So I'll just make a small winking nudge at it. ;)
You're one of maybe 8 people that would get away with that. I have no idea how you subverted the CAPCHA. :P
Thursday, June 25, 2009
How Tetris Blocks Are Made
Tetris is my all time favourite video game. As fun today as it was on my NES in 1987. But it's only today that I've learned one of the deepest mysteries about Tetris - how Tetronimos are made -
TETRIS CF #1 from WooDUS on Vimeo.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Clothed Streaker Interrupts Naked Rugby Match
Just one more peice of proof that New Zealand is the best country ever. I'm so moving there.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2009/jun/14/naked-rugby-new-zealand
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2009/jun/14/naked-rugby-new-zealand
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
How about a compliment about my wife?
That might be a novel concept at ol' Pilot's World. One of the things I realized today was something my wife doesn't do anymore. Perhaps its because I put my foot down early or perhaps she just realized the folly in her desire.
When we first started going out she was on a fairly regular basis trying to push personal hygene and upkeep products on me. Exfoliating this, puff ball that, milk curd and bee sperm other thing. For a head and shoulders and pure soap guy, this was a little much. Now I DO use the dread soap she pushe on me when I got dreads, but that's because its the only thing that effectively keeps my dreads knotting - even then I opt for the original scent and not her "pertoulie" crap. Oh and she gave me some shave lotion for Christmas, but it was a present and it smells awesome... like freshly grated hippie.
So here's to the wife, the cause of and solution to all my problems.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Twitter? How long will that last?
So all, I've started doing some Twittering. It's ok so far. I'm getting a little tired of social media frankly. Blogs and social networking seem to be this world of exposing as much of yourself as you can. I've been on Facebook for about a year now. I joined for the most part because the band I was in and the band I'm currently in communicate over Facebook's communication system. We could do it anywhere, but Facebook is fine. But of course now that I'm there people want pictures and want me to join groups and the rest.
If I want to protest, I'll join Amnesty or Greenpeace, the Facebook group to make sure we don't have to pay for Facebook can lick my taint.
Twitter and blogging aren't much different. If there was anonymity involved, I might be more involved, but the fact of the matter is the only people who care to read my clap-trap are people I know, and if I happen to open my mouth in a way someone doesn't like (which is often), I hear about it.
Anyways, follow my Tweets at http://twitter.com/PilotsWorld
Also, some news coming in the next month about my new band. There is much to tell now, but we're keepig it all under wraps for the moment to get the project a little more together first. Stay tuned!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Homo Milk
Something I wish I had done very early in my relationship with Rhonda was to put my foot down about milk. Rhonda has a health need to drink only 1% or skim milk. This is what people of us in the Pilon clan refer to as "Dish Water"I should, from day one, have said "No, I will not drink that milk, it is against the Catholic faith". You see at that time she was still pretty naive to how us Catholics do things and was very eager to please, so we would have found a way to make it happen. Then by the time she figured it out, well we'd have a process in place.
But now I'm stuck getting only enriched vitamin A and D and some calcium from what is otherwise... dish water.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
How's it goin?!
Hey all, long time no blog. How about a little update to Pilot's World. Everyone here is doing pretty good. Baby is growing up and beginning to walk and getting her first words. Tai is rockin' out in school and has a new report card coming in the next few weeks.
Rhonda is heading back to work part time at a care home, hopefully she get some satisfaction and accomplishment from returning to the work-force. She's working hard on becoming a doula and breast-feeding consultant, so I've had a lot of my off-work time with the kids and running the ol' household. Thank God for the miracle of the Google suite of online software - if it weren't for iGoogle, Google Calendar and Gmail I'd likely be dead.
Been working a lot on self-improvement lately. Not to say I was on a downward spiral of reckless behaviour, but I did realize lately that I've been having trouble prioritizing my goals in life... so I've been trying to target myself a little more and deal with a few personal issues I've been having. Spending most of Friday visiting bankers and councilors hoping I can make my life a little easier to manage. I'm hoping once we get our banking a little more online to begin using an online cheque-booking system called Clear Checkbook. It even lets you update your books using text messaging! AMAZING!
Been working hard on the new band with Dave, Vic, Andrew and Scott. Have a few songs well started and I'm working on lyrics/melody for the first time in a band. It's slow going, but faster than any of the work I've done in the past. Having others to fill in gaps sure expedites the situation. The band is already having inter-personal issues though, which bugs me a lot, and I think one of the members will end up leaving before there is balance and a healthy work-relationship happening.
Well that's about all to report now. Not much more to say. ... LEGALIZE IT!
Rhonda is heading back to work part time at a care home, hopefully she get some satisfaction and accomplishment from returning to the work-force. She's working hard on becoming a doula and breast-feeding consultant, so I've had a lot of my off-work time with the kids and running the ol' household. Thank God for the miracle of the Google suite of online software - if it weren't for iGoogle, Google Calendar and Gmail I'd likely be dead.
Been working a lot on self-improvement lately. Not to say I was on a downward spiral of reckless behaviour, but I did realize lately that I've been having trouble prioritizing my goals in life... so I've been trying to target myself a little more and deal with a few personal issues I've been having. Spending most of Friday visiting bankers and councilors hoping I can make my life a little easier to manage. I'm hoping once we get our banking a little more online to begin using an online cheque-booking system called Clear Checkbook. It even lets you update your books using text messaging! AMAZING!
Been working hard on the new band with Dave, Vic, Andrew and Scott. Have a few songs well started and I'm working on lyrics/melody for the first time in a band. It's slow going, but faster than any of the work I've done in the past. Having others to fill in gaps sure expedites the situation. The band is already having inter-personal issues though, which bugs me a lot, and I think one of the members will end up leaving before there is balance and a healthy work-relationship happening.
Well that's about all to report now. Not much more to say. ... LEGALIZE IT!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Damn damn it sonofabitch
Well I shouldn't be that frustrated I guess.
Every year I set the goal... don't write the wrong year on stuff. This year I went a full 26 days before writing 2008 on something. Usually it takes no more than a week to absentmindedly write the wrong year.
The worst part of this year was I was so busy trying not to screw it up that I went ahead and screwed it up anyway.
Oh well.
Every year I set the goal... don't write the wrong year on stuff. This year I went a full 26 days before writing 2008 on something. Usually it takes no more than a week to absentmindedly write the wrong year.
The worst part of this year was I was so busy trying not to screw it up that I went ahead and screwed it up anyway.
Oh well.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Best Parenting Article EVAR!
Rhonda reads a lot of parenting shit. A lot. I'm starting to believe that the children in this house are being raised by the internet. It's an interesting change the internet has had on parenting I think. I mean Rhonda's travels keep us very aware of the dangers that are around us, and lord knows I'm so madly attached to this baby that I'm glad we can keep her so safe.
I run a little more to the wind. I like the human factor of raising a child. I most often look for advice to the people around me, including Rhonda. I do read the occasional article or book that Rhonda pokes my way, and I've started a parenting philosophy and I rather enjoy it. And sometimes I let some slightly dangerous shit happen, just to see how she'll do. One needs to learn to fail. A skill I've always found my parents brilliant at.
Rhonda is pretty respectful of this approach a bit, alot. But she only sends me an article every few weeks, so I don't have to chug though one often.
But I stumbled on a parenting article so good, I needed to share it with y'all.
It's called
Now THAT'S PARENTING!!!!
I run a little more to the wind. I like the human factor of raising a child. I most often look for advice to the people around me, including Rhonda. I do read the occasional article or book that Rhonda pokes my way, and I've started a parenting philosophy and I rather enjoy it. And sometimes I let some slightly dangerous shit happen, just to see how she'll do. One needs to learn to fail. A skill I've always found my parents brilliant at.
Rhonda is pretty respectful of this approach a bit, alot. But she only sends me an article every few weeks, so I don't have to chug though one often.
But I stumbled on a parenting article so good, I needed to share it with y'all.
It's called
Take Time To Talk To Your Child About Whatever Crap They Like
Now THAT'S PARENTING!!!!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Winnipeg is allright - if you like sax0phones
Went to the Manitoba Museum. Not bad as far as museums go. Got to hang and jam with Mark and Blaine, hang with Holly and generally have a fun day. I got the audio interface I've been begging for for three months, so now I'll be a synth-rocking fiend. I can't bloomin' wait!
Of course now I need to buy Blaines bass.
Really enjoyed our stay at the Hampton, the curved shower bar was certainly the highlight their Travelocity Page promised it would be. And getting room 420 was enough of a thrill to make the entire trip worthwhile. Now for packing breakfast and back to the "vag". Nothing good can last... and we're gonna run out of money to stay any longer.
Au revoir Winnipeg!
Of course now I need to buy Blaines bass.
Really enjoyed our stay at the Hampton, the curved shower bar was certainly the highlight their Travelocity Page promised it would be. And getting room 420 was enough of a thrill to make the entire trip worthwhile. Now for packing breakfast and back to the "vag". Nothing good can last... and we're gonna run out of money to stay any longer.
Au revoir Winnipeg!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
In Winnipeg
And only nearly been lost a few times. Went to the Old Spaghetti Factory and saw the worlds largest kiln-dried vase and ate what was likely the most unhealthy thing I've ever eaten - butter fried spaghetti covered with cheese. I'm gonna have to walk that one off tommorrow, if I make it though the night.
Well off to bed or somewhere in that area....
Well off to bed or somewhere in that area....
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
SHHHHH!
Baby is sleeping. Peacefully in her crib. And did it with the least violence yet. Seriously, it's been a Gaza-style week up here in the Pilot Crib with the baby sleep-training.
It's a fine art baby training, I'm not gonna go into the sordid history, but let me just say we have a 7 month old baby who refuses to sleep in a crib, and I've made it my life goal to change that as soon as possible. And after singing most of the albums I listened to in Grade 8 at half speed to her, she is finally unconscious with two snoring dogs. And I'm gonna sneak to bed, now convinced she will sleep.
Bon Nuit!
It's a fine art baby training, I'm not gonna go into the sordid history, but let me just say we have a 7 month old baby who refuses to sleep in a crib, and I've made it my life goal to change that as soon as possible. And after singing most of the albums I listened to in Grade 8 at half speed to her, she is finally unconscious with two snoring dogs. And I'm gonna sneak to bed, now convinced she will sleep.
Bon Nuit!
Monday, January 05, 2009
ARGH!
I know that I live in Canada, and I'm very proud of that. And for the most part I try not to complain about those things I can't change.
But this winter shit MUST STOP!
I'm officially replacing all my CFL lights with diesel burning lamps and trading in my compact cars for a tank and a train with rubber tires. Global Warming? At this point in my week, bring it on.
I've shovelled thousands of pounds of snow in the past couple months, nearly got into auto collisions on numerous occasions and I'm frankly just sick of having to put on 40 pounds of winter gear just to take out the garbage.
There my rant is over.
I need a whiskey.
But this winter shit MUST STOP!
I'm officially replacing all my CFL lights with diesel burning lamps and trading in my compact cars for a tank and a train with rubber tires. Global Warming? At this point in my week, bring it on.
I've shovelled thousands of pounds of snow in the past couple months, nearly got into auto collisions on numerous occasions and I'm frankly just sick of having to put on 40 pounds of winter gear just to take out the garbage.
There my rant is over.
I need a whiskey.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas Just around the corner....
And I am so glad. Have Rhonda's brother staying with us over the holidays and attach his late Sunday arrival with a switch from nights to days and I am ready to fall asleep where I sit... but I need to watch the baby..... maybe the dogs will look after her. And maybe child-protection is on their way....don't worry I'm watching the baby, a far more awake mom is on her way home now.
Gonna see the whole family this week. Excited about that, hopefully drink a damn truck of wine this year. I bought two bottles and I'm sure there must be 10+ more available.
\
Gonna see the whole family this week. Excited about that, hopefully drink a damn truck of wine this year. I bought two bottles and I'm sure there must be 10+ more available.
\
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Women and Clothing
Ah the fairer sex! I, like all men throughout history, will never understand women.
In particular concern to me right now is my wife's ability to buy clothes. In the 2+ years we've been together, I've seen my lovely lady change her feathers so many times and so many ways, it makes my head spin. Sometimes I'm reminded of Veronica in the Archie comics, never wearing the same thing twice and having a closet full of clothes.
It's not that I feel she literally has too many clothes, but where I'll go and buy clothes say... 2 times a year, she's got that schedule every month. More boggling is the fact that in these weeks leading up to Christmas she's coming home with new clothes. To me this would be a massive no-no... and not because of the obvious problem of "what if someone is getting you that for Christmas?" but simply because I'd rather eat a box of salt than go shopping during Christmas season without a good reason. Clothes aren't a good reason.
But perhaps I'm to blame. My wardrobe is not exactly one with a lot of variety. T-Shirts, cargo pant and socks make up 95% of my wardrobe. It's not that I don't want to expand on it sometimes. I would like a good pair of jeans or two, and some cool sweaters and button up shirts would be nice to expand into, I just never have the drive or frankly the money to go shopping willy-nilly. Besides, I COULD be spending that money on important things... like beer or male enhancement pills (go ENZYTE!). It doesn't help that despite my amateur wardrobe building skills, I've actually got a pretty picky sense of what I like to wear, so it's not like I can just send Rhonda to do my shopping for me.
So I guess we leave it at that, just another mystery between the sexes right up there with "Why do women go to the bathroom together?" and "How is it that the volume of the contents of a womans purse exceed the volume of the purse and yet the purse never looks full?" Or the ultimate mystery, "How can women suffer childbirth and be raring to have another 3 months later?" Totally weird!
In particular concern to me right now is my wife's ability to buy clothes. In the 2+ years we've been together, I've seen my lovely lady change her feathers so many times and so many ways, it makes my head spin. Sometimes I'm reminded of Veronica in the Archie comics, never wearing the same thing twice and having a closet full of clothes.
It's not that I feel she literally has too many clothes, but where I'll go and buy clothes say... 2 times a year, she's got that schedule every month. More boggling is the fact that in these weeks leading up to Christmas she's coming home with new clothes. To me this would be a massive no-no... and not because of the obvious problem of "what if someone is getting you that for Christmas?" but simply because I'd rather eat a box of salt than go shopping during Christmas season without a good reason. Clothes aren't a good reason.
But perhaps I'm to blame. My wardrobe is not exactly one with a lot of variety. T-Shirts, cargo pant and socks make up 95% of my wardrobe. It's not that I don't want to expand on it sometimes. I would like a good pair of jeans or two, and some cool sweaters and button up shirts would be nice to expand into, I just never have the drive or frankly the money to go shopping willy-nilly. Besides, I COULD be spending that money on important things... like beer or male enhancement pills (go ENZYTE!). It doesn't help that despite my amateur wardrobe building skills, I've actually got a pretty picky sense of what I like to wear, so it's not like I can just send Rhonda to do my shopping for me.
So I guess we leave it at that, just another mystery between the sexes right up there with "Why do women go to the bathroom together?" and "How is it that the volume of the contents of a womans purse exceed the volume of the purse and yet the purse never looks full?" Or the ultimate mystery, "How can women suffer childbirth and be raring to have another 3 months later?" Totally weird!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Off to Winterpeg
Gonna go visit Markus Domestikus and Hollywood.
The open mic was a total flop and I will never be able to watch the video.
We're gonna try again in the new year.
Catch y'all later
The open mic was a total flop and I will never be able to watch the video.
We're gonna try again in the new year.
Catch y'all later
Monday, December 08, 2008
Playin' an Open Mic
Hey all. I'm gonna be strummin' out some tunes with my lovely wife Rhonda backing me up on the o'l hand drum on Wednesday night (Dec 10) at the Exchange. I'm guaranteed one song, but if people like me I can play longer. So come out and like me! Doors open at 6:30, show is at 7 and I play when they put me on. I think the cover is a donation of your choice to Amnesty, but I can't be sure. For more info, please visit http://www.amnestysaskatchewan.ca/provincial/ .
This is one of hopefully about a half-dozen open mics I'm hoping to do over the next few months as a warm-up and development stage of a solo project. Trying not to jump the gun too much on the poject, but I hope to get a few decent gigs this summer, then work on a recording next winter to start pushing summer 2010.
Keep up to date on the project at my MySpace page and please support my work if you're interested, I have children to feed. I'll keep you up to speed on major developments here at Pilot's World too.
This is one of hopefully about a half-dozen open mics I'm hoping to do over the next few months as a warm-up and development stage of a solo project. Trying not to jump the gun too much on the poject, but I hope to get a few decent gigs this summer, then work on a recording next winter to start pushing summer 2010.
Keep up to date on the project at my MySpace page and please support my work if you're interested, I have children to feed. I'll keep you up to speed on major developments here at Pilot's World too.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Mark My Words
Harper is up to something.
While everyone has been expounding how dumb the Conservatives were to make the fiscal update they were going to, particularly the part about cutting election funding. Now I've been watching how Harper works over the past 3 years, and I'm positive he's up to something.
He promises something the electorate will like - cutting funding to politicians, creating an accountability committee, but doing it in such a way that it will ultimately fail, but at the hands of the opposition (load committees with Liberals or make funding cuts that will bankrupt the opposition parties), +1 for Harper, -1 for Opposition. Basically from day one, Harper has been putting forward stuff in such a way that if they succeed he gets one more notch in his agenda, but if they fail, the Opposition is squarely in the cross-hairs. He's a very clever politician, so I know the bastard is up to something, I just don't know what yet.
But on that note, Canada is in the middle of what I think could be a long-term political crisis. The presence of 4 relatively strong parties in the House is causing a world of trouble, especially since up until about a week ago all four parties wanted to run the House like they had a majority... and frankly if word of the weakness of the coalition is true, they still do. The electorate is pretty divided, we're in the 50-50 election crisis the US was in up until the most recent election. The conservatives seem to come out on top in these matches, perhaps they're just more clever, maybe they're more deceitful... either way they seem to win when its close.
All I do know is that we're facing political crisis, environmental crisis, we're at war, we've got a failing economy and the man leading our country is playing politics and our Parliament is at a standstill. I realize it's his right, I realize it's legal and I realize that Harper isn't the only one to blame, but I know he was the catalyst and I know our country needs better than the shitheads we have running our country right now.
So my solutions?
First idea would be to abolish the party system. Each member is elected independently then must decide based on the wishes of their constituents and work together in the House. This would of course mean a total overhaul of our system of government and would eliminate a head representative of the country (Prime Minister). Corruption could also spring up in such a system as you wouldn't have party oversight and accountability to keep an eye on it. So there would be some issues to be resolved.
Second - Abolition of all but two parties. Not very democratic. And has complete potential to not solve this problem at all.
Third - Shrink the size of parties and encourage an increase in issue specific parties like the Green Party, Unity Party, Rainbow Coalition or the First Peoples National Party. This could be done through legislation, funding changes and taxation changes. By doing this we could have bills being presented by experts instead of quilt pattern agendas that cover all topics in an incomplete way. Problems here of course include the fact that all non-expert parties will have difficulty understanding bills, so corruption could be bred, and members will only be able to handle the most prominent issue in their consituency.
Fourth - Overhaul of our democratic system. The world has come a long way since 1867. We could be using the advances in technology to directly vote on bills as citizens, instead of sending representatives to Ottawa and spending millions a year on wages and elections. Fill the HoC with servers and allow bills to introduced by the public, reviewed by certain "regular" users then allow the population to vote online. Bills could be introduced, have one week for discussion, one week to vote, then would be passed if a vote of over say 25% of the population supported the bill.
Now I'm positive none of these changes would come to fruition. They are certainly frought with issues, I'm no expert. In addition, the people who would need to make the changes have too much to lose. MP's make a pretty good wage and most, I would argue, like the power or the responsibility or whatever. They have too much vested interest to change things. And of course, about 40 people read this blog on any regular basis, and maybe 3 of them will have read it up to this point. 4 people are gonna have a real hell of a time overturning an entire political system.
So for now we're going to be stuck in a political quagmire. I can see this thing extending upward of 12 years, until someone makes a major misstep or people forget about the Liberal Sponsorship Scandal. So until then , here's to ineffective governance!
While everyone has been expounding how dumb the Conservatives were to make the fiscal update they were going to, particularly the part about cutting election funding. Now I've been watching how Harper works over the past 3 years, and I'm positive he's up to something.
He promises something the electorate will like - cutting funding to politicians, creating an accountability committee, but doing it in such a way that it will ultimately fail, but at the hands of the opposition (load committees with Liberals or make funding cuts that will bankrupt the opposition parties), +1 for Harper, -1 for Opposition. Basically from day one, Harper has been putting forward stuff in such a way that if they succeed he gets one more notch in his agenda, but if they fail, the Opposition is squarely in the cross-hairs. He's a very clever politician, so I know the bastard is up to something, I just don't know what yet.
But on that note, Canada is in the middle of what I think could be a long-term political crisis. The presence of 4 relatively strong parties in the House is causing a world of trouble, especially since up until about a week ago all four parties wanted to run the House like they had a majority... and frankly if word of the weakness of the coalition is true, they still do. The electorate is pretty divided, we're in the 50-50 election crisis the US was in up until the most recent election. The conservatives seem to come out on top in these matches, perhaps they're just more clever, maybe they're more deceitful... either way they seem to win when its close.
All I do know is that we're facing political crisis, environmental crisis, we're at war, we've got a failing economy and the man leading our country is playing politics and our Parliament is at a standstill. I realize it's his right, I realize it's legal and I realize that Harper isn't the only one to blame, but I know he was the catalyst and I know our country needs better than the shitheads we have running our country right now.
So my solutions?
First idea would be to abolish the party system. Each member is elected independently then must decide based on the wishes of their constituents and work together in the House. This would of course mean a total overhaul of our system of government and would eliminate a head representative of the country (Prime Minister). Corruption could also spring up in such a system as you wouldn't have party oversight and accountability to keep an eye on it. So there would be some issues to be resolved.
Second - Abolition of all but two parties. Not very democratic. And has complete potential to not solve this problem at all.
Third - Shrink the size of parties and encourage an increase in issue specific parties like the Green Party, Unity Party, Rainbow Coalition or the First Peoples National Party. This could be done through legislation, funding changes and taxation changes. By doing this we could have bills being presented by experts instead of quilt pattern agendas that cover all topics in an incomplete way. Problems here of course include the fact that all non-expert parties will have difficulty understanding bills, so corruption could be bred, and members will only be able to handle the most prominent issue in their consituency.
Fourth - Overhaul of our democratic system. The world has come a long way since 1867. We could be using the advances in technology to directly vote on bills as citizens, instead of sending representatives to Ottawa and spending millions a year on wages and elections. Fill the HoC with servers and allow bills to introduced by the public, reviewed by certain "regular" users then allow the population to vote online. Bills could be introduced, have one week for discussion, one week to vote, then would be passed if a vote of over say 25% of the population supported the bill.
Now I'm positive none of these changes would come to fruition. They are certainly frought with issues, I'm no expert. In addition, the people who would need to make the changes have too much to lose. MP's make a pretty good wage and most, I would argue, like the power or the responsibility or whatever. They have too much vested interest to change things. And of course, about 40 people read this blog on any regular basis, and maybe 3 of them will have read it up to this point. 4 people are gonna have a real hell of a time overturning an entire political system.
So for now we're going to be stuck in a political quagmire. I can see this thing extending upward of 12 years, until someone makes a major misstep or people forget about the Liberal Sponsorship Scandal. So until then , here's to ineffective governance!
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Shoppo!
Ug. Shopping. Actually I've brought Tai along with me to do my Christmas shopping and she provides endless entertainment. Rhonda is gonna love her ##@@$$$@@ for Christmas and I got her the most wonderful 03984555444433 for her birthday. Got some nice treats for my mom and dad today as well, so I now just need to get some little things for the girls and I'll be off to the races.
Tracked down a MIDI keyboard today for $50 from Doug (Linger guitarist). Looking forward to having access to a keyboard as it's gonna help me work with my fancy-pants software, Buzz. I've been using a forum on the software to learn how to use it, so I signed up just as a matter of respect for the community, but I have trouble posting anything. I'm no expert yet on the stuff, and most of the questions I have about the software are answered by a simple search. So I mostly just pop into the "Off-Topic" section of the message board and chat. Forums are very strange communities, but they're also a veritable motherlode of information.
Tai has a synchronized swimming show tonight, and SGI is putting on their kids carnival tommorrow afternoon. So it's Dad weekend for me!
Tracked down a MIDI keyboard today for $50 from Doug (Linger guitarist). Looking forward to having access to a keyboard as it's gonna help me work with my fancy-pants software, Buzz. I've been using a forum on the software to learn how to use it, so I signed up just as a matter of respect for the community, but I have trouble posting anything. I'm no expert yet on the stuff, and most of the questions I have about the software are answered by a simple search. So I mostly just pop into the "Off-Topic" section of the message board and chat. Forums are very strange communities, but they're also a veritable motherlode of information.
Tai has a synchronized swimming show tonight, and SGI is putting on their kids carnival tommorrow afternoon. So it's Dad weekend for me!
Monday, December 01, 2008
Attention!!!!
TO THOSE OF YOU WHO DOUBT MY ABILITY TO FATHER NAKED HIPPIE BABIES,
BEHOLD!!!!
Sorry Kayah, I know you'll have years of therapy for this, but it's SO DAMN CUTE!
BEHOLD!!!!
Sorry Kayah, I know you'll have years of therapy for this, but it's SO DAMN CUTE!
So looks like we're gonna have a coalition
This seems to me a pretty good deal. The pundits are spouting a lot of hostorical facts about it, but considering the fact that the last time there was a federal coalition in Canada, my great-great-grandfather was my age... well I'd say all bets are off.
One moment, my wife made me an excellent cup of coffee and I need to sit staring in the distance, holding the cup in both hands and smile with a satisfied look in my eye.
Damn good coffee.
So as I was saying. I think its a pretty good deal for democracy. "WHAT?" You say? "How can a group of people seizing power from an elected leader be democratic?" Each member of the coalition will have been elected by their ridings to represent them so by agreeing to run the House, they're more effectively serving their constituents. Also, by having 2-3 parties involved in negotiating any new laws or changes, the changes that happen will be more moderate and theoretically more acceptable to a greater portion of the nation's population. Add to this that the parties that aren't Conservatives in the house are center-left parties, and the center-left actually took more seats.... well you see where my thinking is.
I'm cheering on the coalition, it worked in Afghanistan right?
One moment, my wife made me an excellent cup of coffee and I need to sit staring in the distance, holding the cup in both hands and smile with a satisfied look in my eye.
Damn good coffee.
So as I was saying. I think its a pretty good deal for democracy. "WHAT?" You say? "How can a group of people seizing power from an elected leader be democratic?" Each member of the coalition will have been elected by their ridings to represent them so by agreeing to run the House, they're more effectively serving their constituents. Also, by having 2-3 parties involved in negotiating any new laws or changes, the changes that happen will be more moderate and theoretically more acceptable to a greater portion of the nation's population. Add to this that the parties that aren't Conservatives in the house are center-left parties, and the center-left actually took more seats.... well you see where my thinking is.
I'm cheering on the coalition, it worked in Afghanistan right?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
December!!!!
Crap. Shopping, driving, snowy December. Would it kill us to move the holiday season to the summer.... but then I guess what would we do in the winter eh?
Been a busy few weeks past. Gonna play a few original songs with Rhonda at an Amnesty International Open Mic Night on Dec 10 at the Exchange. Gonna play my "old" standard "Stargazing" at the show and if they want me to play longer, one of my new ones "First Time" and maybe the instrumentals "Daizy" or " "Munchie". But we'll take it as it comes.
Develoment in the Johnny Rockstar project is entering the polish stage before we hit some shows. We've all basically got the songs learnt, now we're tightening stuff up. I've got the most ground to cover yet since I'm the newest member by about 5 years or so. We're all starting to get excited about the work and we're developing a good band feel.
The new project with the former Linger members is progressing nicely too. We've got material enough for like 2-1/2 albums, but we'll almost certainly scrap a portion of it, combine many and there will be much more new writing before we're done. Of the dozen or so jams, we've not once left without a recording of some new ideas. We're starting to get backd on posting the ideas to our server space. One of the major difficulties has been getting everyone in the same room. Every member of the band has been at a jam and has written and participated, we're all working. But we have not all been in the same room since Craik in September, and as a result we haven't agreed on the name (we all want to do the final discussion in person).
One of my major frustrations at the moment is more creativity than time. It can be exasperated by the fact that I have alot of outlets at my disposal, they can just be hard to access. Not that I can realistically blame this on family or home ownership. I don't know that I'd be much further ahead if I were single, maybe but likely only 10% further along than I am. The presence of an encouraging family can do wonders to a persons motivation and workload. Some of the projects that I'm in beginning phases of working on and will all come in time include - Learning and using synthesisers (limited by my access to a good sound card), doing more video content for Maent Records and some of the other projects I'm involved in (limited to some extent by hard-disk space and time), at least 2 more ideas for bands (limited by the fact that that's ridiculous, they'll come when some current projects run their course), working on a project with Mark and Rob (likely 15 years in the future the way we coordinate), Developing and constructing a new/custom performance setup - guitar, amp, effects and all the details (limited by time and money). It's good to have goals and ideas - infact I should go and post them in a list on my MySpace page so I can work e'm out.
Other than that, just plugging away at life. Have some hip/back pain right now that I'm hoping is a result of improper exercise and bad posture and not a sign of something worse, gonna tough it out for a bit and maybe go see a doctor in the new year if I don't see some progress. Tylenol + Advil = Good Times.
Been a busy few weeks past. Gonna play a few original songs with Rhonda at an Amnesty International Open Mic Night on Dec 10 at the Exchange. Gonna play my "old" standard "Stargazing" at the show and if they want me to play longer, one of my new ones "First Time" and maybe the instrumentals "Daizy" or " "Munchie". But we'll take it as it comes.
Develoment in the Johnny Rockstar project is entering the polish stage before we hit some shows. We've all basically got the songs learnt, now we're tightening stuff up. I've got the most ground to cover yet since I'm the newest member by about 5 years or so. We're all starting to get excited about the work and we're developing a good band feel.
The new project with the former Linger members is progressing nicely too. We've got material enough for like 2-1/2 albums, but we'll almost certainly scrap a portion of it, combine many and there will be much more new writing before we're done. Of the dozen or so jams, we've not once left without a recording of some new ideas. We're starting to get backd on posting the ideas to our server space. One of the major difficulties has been getting everyone in the same room. Every member of the band has been at a jam and has written and participated, we're all working. But we have not all been in the same room since Craik in September, and as a result we haven't agreed on the name (we all want to do the final discussion in person).
One of my major frustrations at the moment is more creativity than time. It can be exasperated by the fact that I have alot of outlets at my disposal, they can just be hard to access. Not that I can realistically blame this on family or home ownership. I don't know that I'd be much further ahead if I were single, maybe but likely only 10% further along than I am. The presence of an encouraging family can do wonders to a persons motivation and workload. Some of the projects that I'm in beginning phases of working on and will all come in time include - Learning and using synthesisers (limited by my access to a good sound card), doing more video content for Maent Records and some of the other projects I'm involved in (limited to some extent by hard-disk space and time), at least 2 more ideas for bands (limited by the fact that that's ridiculous, they'll come when some current projects run their course), working on a project with Mark and Rob (likely 15 years in the future the way we coordinate), Developing and constructing a new/custom performance setup - guitar, amp, effects and all the details (limited by time and money). It's good to have goals and ideas - infact I should go and post them in a list on my MySpace page so I can work e'm out.
Other than that, just plugging away at life. Have some hip/back pain right now that I'm hoping is a result of improper exercise and bad posture and not a sign of something worse, gonna tough it out for a bit and maybe go see a doctor in the new year if I don't see some progress. Tylenol + Advil = Good Times.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Marrying Medical
One of the benefits of marrying someone in the medical profession is that when she's mistreating you (say tickling you or something) you can quote the classic Homer Simpson line -
"No! Please, remember your hippopotamus oath!"
It never works, thus she should have her license revoked.
"No! Please, remember your hippopotamus oath!"
It never works, thus she should have her license revoked.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Jack Grey
Jack Black and Jack White should do an album together called Jack Grey. It would be so full of ego and rock that they would likely need to invent a new kind of audio media to hold it.
Clever, I know.
Clever, I know.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
An Experiment in Cooking
I've been a great lover of cooking since I was a young child. I've experimented with all sorts of recipes, but one area of the culinary world that I've left un-explored was Indian cooking.
So when my wife suggested we start meal planning, I decided to spice it up and try something new. So I found a curry sauce recipe, got some lamb, made some rice and whipped up my pathetic Canadian version of Indian food. But it turned out fairly well. I realized I need to eat more lamb.
Next up.... English food (barf!).
So when my wife suggested we start meal planning, I decided to spice it up and try something new. So I found a curry sauce recipe, got some lamb, made some rice and whipped up my pathetic Canadian version of Indian food. But it turned out fairly well. I realized I need to eat more lamb.
Next up.... English food (barf!).
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
US Election
Well it's so historic, so I'd better blog.
The real history here isn't colour or race or age. It's the end of the Nixon era finally coming to fruition. Today will be seen as the day the United States decided to change how it runs itself and how the world sees it.
Make no mistake, the world begins to change tommorrow.
The real history here isn't colour or race or age. It's the end of the Nixon era finally coming to fruition. Today will be seen as the day the United States decided to change how it runs itself and how the world sees it.
Make no mistake, the world begins to change tommorrow.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
All Hallows and more
Happy belated Halloween y'all!
Had a party here on Friday night. Had a pretty good crew out, only problems we had involved smoke detectors. Played the party psychology pretty well and actually had a reasonably early night. We decorated the house up like the scene of a serial killer murder. Not the best job done, but we had some cool stuff in the basement and alot of bloody hand and footprints around. All I can say it was the best meeting of Fidel Castro, a pimp, a witch, AWESOME-O and various underwear superheroes chaperoned by a faerie I've seen. Oh and some other guys wh
Not too much else happened this weekend, groceries, tuna casserole and a purchaseless rip around Chapters were the fun we had. Such is having kids. The wife and I even tried to park for a bit, but the baby would have none of that. So we had to eat cold Wendy's at home and watch SNL. It's like being in Junior High again, can't go anywhere fun, never have any money and have to be home by 9:00.
Had a party here on Friday night. Had a pretty good crew out, only problems we had involved smoke detectors. Played the party psychology pretty well and actually had a reasonably early night. We decorated the house up like the scene of a serial killer murder. Not the best job done, but we had some cool stuff in the basement and alot of bloody hand and footprints around. All I can say it was the best meeting of Fidel Castro, a pimp, a witch, AWESOME-O and various underwear superheroes chaperoned by a faerie I've seen. Oh and some other guys wh
Not too much else happened this weekend, groceries, tuna casserole and a purchaseless rip around Chapters were the fun we had. Such is having kids. The wife and I even tried to park for a bit, but the baby would have none of that. So we had to eat cold Wendy's at home and watch SNL. It's like being in Junior High again, can't go anywhere fun, never have any money and have to be home by 9:00.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Rhonda's Meme
Ok, had actually said to myself that I need to do less of these, but this was actually a pretty good one, so I decided to go for it.
1. Have you ever had stitches? -I had 5 stitches after being hit in the head by a baseball bat in Grade 5. The poor girl who did it I think was forever guilty about it, and I feel bad about that because I've never felt she was responsible. I've long placed blame on the supervising teacher who kept telling me to get closer and closer to the plate when I was playing catcher. After the doctor put the stitches in, he wrapped my head with gauze straight around so it made my hair stick up. My dad kept calling me Bart Simpson and offered to cut little ridges in the top so I'd be cool at school. My dad is a loser.
2. Favorite non-musical sound? -Soda in a cup, pee on a toilet bowl, baby giggles, baby breathing, baby cooing, Rhonda bobbing her finger up and down on Kayah's lips while she's crying (it makes a bad thing hilarious), the sound of a guitar string breaking, particularily on an acoustic guitar, the sound of my mom's old vegetable peeler peeing veggies, it had this loose handle and made a weird sound, meat cooking on a grill, woodlands... birds in particular.
3. Future career? - I want to get the label going. I'd like to tend a large piece of land someday, but I'm not sure if I'm in for the whole full fledged "farming" thing. Still working on that one.
4. Guiltiest pleasure? - My goodness if I told you it wouldn't be that guilty. Be assured they exist, they are indeed guilty and someday, I might write a book about them.
5. Favorite child hood memory? - Quite a few, I was a pretty lucky kid. Visiting my aunts and uncles in Slave Lake AB, getting my first guitar, Andrew being born (a BROTHER!), meeting the REAL santa, going to Gopherville, Going camping in Manitoba with the Lopinskis, summer camp in Kenosee, basically every single jam with Dulcet, building and award-winning sand-castle with Courtney and Michelle, fishing with Dad, building models with Dad, getting my room in the basement. Lots of good stuff.
6. Favorite thing from my child hood I want my kids to experience? - Gopherville, but I hear its gone. Going to camp, Coming home from camp. Having a paperroute. Being a big brother (sorry kids, guess I'll keep that one)...
7. A "must-do" on the "to-do" list? - Get to work on the house. Our limited incomes at the moment is precluding anything but the most basic home re-pairs and changes, but I'd really like to get a few coats of paint on the walls and cupboards, some new floors in the kitchen, entrancesn and bathroom and get the counter-tops re-done. The outside of the house needs a coat of paint too and the back awning is gonna cave in the next couple years if I don't repair it soon.
8. What are you giving up right now due to the failing economy? - Not much. What limits I have are imposed because of Rhonda being off work, not the economy. In fact with gas prices down I think about driving around more... but I don't do it because that would be wrong and kill baby seals. The only thing the failing economy has done is make me more worried for no real reason.
1. Have you ever had stitches? -I had 5 stitches after being hit in the head by a baseball bat in Grade 5. The poor girl who did it I think was forever guilty about it, and I feel bad about that because I've never felt she was responsible. I've long placed blame on the supervising teacher who kept telling me to get closer and closer to the plate when I was playing catcher. After the doctor put the stitches in, he wrapped my head with gauze straight around so it made my hair stick up. My dad kept calling me Bart Simpson and offered to cut little ridges in the top so I'd be cool at school. My dad is a loser.
2. Favorite non-musical sound? -Soda in a cup, pee on a toilet bowl, baby giggles, baby breathing, baby cooing, Rhonda bobbing her finger up and down on Kayah's lips while she's crying (it makes a bad thing hilarious), the sound of a guitar string breaking, particularily on an acoustic guitar, the sound of my mom's old vegetable peeler peeing veggies, it had this loose handle and made a weird sound, meat cooking on a grill, woodlands... birds in particular.
3. Future career? - I want to get the label going. I'd like to tend a large piece of land someday, but I'm not sure if I'm in for the whole full fledged "farming" thing. Still working on that one.
4. Guiltiest pleasure? - My goodness if I told you it wouldn't be that guilty. Be assured they exist, they are indeed guilty and someday, I might write a book about them.
5. Favorite child hood memory? - Quite a few, I was a pretty lucky kid. Visiting my aunts and uncles in Slave Lake AB, getting my first guitar, Andrew being born (a BROTHER!), meeting the REAL santa, going to Gopherville, Going camping in Manitoba with the Lopinskis, summer camp in Kenosee, basically every single jam with Dulcet, building and award-winning sand-castle with Courtney and Michelle, fishing with Dad, building models with Dad, getting my room in the basement. Lots of good stuff.
6. Favorite thing from my child hood I want my kids to experience? - Gopherville, but I hear its gone. Going to camp, Coming home from camp. Having a paperroute. Being a big brother (sorry kids, guess I'll keep that one)...
7. A "must-do" on the "to-do" list? - Get to work on the house. Our limited incomes at the moment is precluding anything but the most basic home re-pairs and changes, but I'd really like to get a few coats of paint on the walls and cupboards, some new floors in the kitchen, entrancesn and bathroom and get the counter-tops re-done. The outside of the house needs a coat of paint too and the back awning is gonna cave in the next couple years if I don't repair it soon.
8. What are you giving up right now due to the failing economy? - Not much. What limits I have are imposed because of Rhonda being off work, not the economy. In fact with gas prices down I think about driving around more... but I don't do it because that would be wrong and kill baby seals. The only thing the failing economy has done is make me more worried for no real reason.
I'd like to introduce you to someone.
This blog has made many a mention of my loveable beagle Bootsy, but little mention has been made of our other loveable family member, Shadow!
Now Shadow and I didn't start off well together. Rhonda had gotten him shortly after we started going out, and he and I have been fighting for Rhonda's love ever since. In fact when we first found out Rhonda was pregnant, I refused to take credit for the child until I had seen the ultrasound and saw that the baby didn't have a fluffy tail or one white paw.
But we've grown to be fast friends. And how could we not. Shadow first and foremost is incredibly smart. He can always figure out any new game instantly, always knows when something is amiss and has been like a second father to the baby... gentle, patient and firm. I'm gald to have him in the house in this neighborhood. He's small but he'll sound the alarm if something is happening and if we did have an intruder, I know he'd give his life to save the family. It wouldn't surely stop him, but I know his vigilance would give us a fighting chance.
Top Ten things to know about Shadow -
10 - He's a pimp - always kind to the ladies, always a gentleman
9 - He's a genuine horn dog - I blame Rhonda for never getting him fixed.
8 - The leash is a formality - He'll rarely wander out of earshot.
7 - He's great with kids - even when the baby pulls his hair, he rarely has more than a growl or a gentle grab to move her hand.
6 - He's smart as hell - learned to play frisbee on the first toss, my family still talks about it
5 - I'm still not sure he isn't Kayah's biological father - only the paternity test will tell for sure!
4 - He has one white paw - but rarely do I make reference to the similarity to Michael Jackson - he's not a freak!
3 - Nickname - Mr. Shadowski
2 - He's the real Nightwatchman Mr Morello
1 - He's probably one of the best dogs I've come across.
So do yourself a favour, get to know Shadow!
Now Shadow and I didn't start off well together. Rhonda had gotten him shortly after we started going out, and he and I have been fighting for Rhonda's love ever since. In fact when we first found out Rhonda was pregnant, I refused to take credit for the child until I had seen the ultrasound and saw that the baby didn't have a fluffy tail or one white paw.
But we've grown to be fast friends. And how could we not. Shadow first and foremost is incredibly smart. He can always figure out any new game instantly, always knows when something is amiss and has been like a second father to the baby... gentle, patient and firm. I'm gald to have him in the house in this neighborhood. He's small but he'll sound the alarm if something is happening and if we did have an intruder, I know he'd give his life to save the family. It wouldn't surely stop him, but I know his vigilance would give us a fighting chance.
Top Ten things to know about Shadow -
10 - He's a pimp - always kind to the ladies, always a gentleman
9 - He's a genuine horn dog - I blame Rhonda for never getting him fixed.
8 - The leash is a formality - He'll rarely wander out of earshot.
7 - He's great with kids - even when the baby pulls his hair, he rarely has more than a growl or a gentle grab to move her hand.
6 - He's smart as hell - learned to play frisbee on the first toss, my family still talks about it
5 - I'm still not sure he isn't Kayah's biological father - only the paternity test will tell for sure!
4 - He has one white paw - but rarely do I make reference to the similarity to Michael Jackson - he's not a freak!
3 - Nickname - Mr. Shadowski
2 - He's the real Nightwatchman Mr Morello
1 - He's probably one of the best dogs I've come across.
So do yourself a favour, get to know Shadow!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Canadian Car Chase
Yep, we've all seen it... probably getting tired of it, but hey I'd like to look back on this blog in 10 years and remember this commercial.
Classic.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Tetanus
So I got a tetanus shot this weekend. Was helping my dad put in some new windows in Swift Current this weekend and while throwing out the old ones at the land-fill, put a shingle nail in my foot. Hurt like a damn bastard. Decided to head to the hospital and get a shot just in case.
Gotta say, 2 days later, the shot is worse than the wound. But now I'm covered for a decade, so next time I need a shot the baby will be in Grade 5 and Tai will be off to college... so I'll have bigger things to worry about.
Had a good time in Swift Current. It was the first time I've had a girl over night at my parents house... and this time I brought 3! Grandma and Grandpa had some fun with their recently accquired granddaughters and Tai is learning the fine art of subtly coercing her Grandparents (replaceing "Can I have Dairy Queen" with "Boy an ice cream would be good on a day like this")
Back to work today. I need to get my record label making money, I don't know how to keep myself sane working on buildings for the next 29 years to retirement.
Gotta say, 2 days later, the shot is worse than the wound. But now I'm covered for a decade, so next time I need a shot the baby will be in Grade 5 and Tai will be off to college... so I'll have bigger things to worry about.
Had a good time in Swift Current. It was the first time I've had a girl over night at my parents house... and this time I brought 3! Grandma and Grandpa had some fun with their recently accquired granddaughters and Tai is learning the fine art of subtly coercing her Grandparents (replaceing "Can I have Dairy Queen" with "Boy an ice cream would be good on a day like this")
Back to work today. I need to get my record label making money, I don't know how to keep myself sane working on buildings for the next 29 years to retirement.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Blog Quebecquois
Figure if I'm gonna run for the Bloc next election, I better start recognizing that "La Belle Province" exists. Bonjour!
Been a fine week off. Decided to move a dozen large sidewalk blocks by myself today. My body is pissed about that one. But we shall survive.\
Election party was fun. Superstore chips, CBC-TV, MSN Chat and root beer. It numbed the pain of another Tory government. Looks like I'd better hurry on getting government funding for my label. Yikes.
I got a free copy of Bram Stokers "Dracula" sitting here for the first person who can line me up $15,000 in a legal manner. My label needs some funding.
Been a fine week off. Decided to move a dozen large sidewalk blocks by myself today. My body is pissed about that one. But we shall survive.\
Election party was fun. Superstore chips, CBC-TV, MSN Chat and root beer. It numbed the pain of another Tory government. Looks like I'd better hurry on getting government funding for my label. Yikes.
I got a free copy of Bram Stokers "Dracula" sitting here for the first person who can line me up $15,000 in a legal manner. My label needs some funding.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Election Day MSN Party
Well folks, once again, my sister, wife and I will be hosting an election night MSN party. We've got people in PEI and Saskatchewan so far, and everyone is invited to put in their 2 cents and join the party. If you're not on my MSN yet, my address is fluffnews at hotmail.
We just get together and get a good view of the whole country, with people watching (hopefully) all the major networks and giving updates as we go.
Remember to bring your ID and get out there and vote so we have something to follow tonight!!!!
We just get together and get a good view of the whole country, with people watching (hopefully) all the major networks and giving updates as we go.
Remember to bring your ID and get out there and vote so we have something to follow tonight!!!!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Voting Strategically 2
Well apparently Elizabeth May is encouraging strategic voting in close races. Wish I knew if my riding was one of the about 60 that she feels we need to vote this way in. Maybe such information will float up in the next couple days.
But then, this is in contrast to her advice only days ago. Now I'm not saying I'm gonna follow her lead explicitly, frankly I still question her skills as a politician.
So the debate rages on.
Think I'll run for the BQ next election. Present! pour la Quebec!
But then, this is in contrast to her advice only days ago. Now I'm not saying I'm gonna follow her lead explicitly, frankly I still question her skills as a politician.
So the debate rages on.
Think I'll run for the BQ next election. Present! pour la Quebec!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Pondering Strategic Voting
Well only a few days to the election. And all of a sudden I'm in a dilemma.
It's no secret that I would very literally take an axe to the head than cast a vote for this Conservative party. Even if I did consider myself a small "C" conservative, the party that we've had running the country has been deceitful, dishonest and just plain bad. From ignoring obvious issues to making a big deal and doing nothing, they've just fucked the dog for the past 2 years. Blame the Liberals if you want, but they've stayed home for the past 2 years, so find another whipping boy there guys.
Coming up to the election its becoming very clear that the election is going to be a very close one, with an almost certain minority. One of the seats that the Tories could potentially lose is the riding I'll be voting in. Word is that NDP Janice Bernier could potentially un-seat incumbent Andrew Scheer... but it could be close.
Now I've already made it pretty clear that I want to vote Green in this election, but a vote for the NDP could go a long way to shifting the balance of power. I'm not saying that my vote is going to make the difference between Prime Minister Harper or Prime Minister Dion, but the fact is, it could help. I have zero problem voting NDP, I've voted NDP provincially several times and I think once maybe twice federally. They're my third pick after the Greens and the Bloc Quebecquois.
At least I've got another handfull of days to decide, keep my eyes on the headlines and if I make my decision in the voting booth, well that's my choice to make.
God bless democracy.
It's no secret that I would very literally take an axe to the head than cast a vote for this Conservative party. Even if I did consider myself a small "C" conservative, the party that we've had running the country has been deceitful, dishonest and just plain bad. From ignoring obvious issues to making a big deal and doing nothing, they've just fucked the dog for the past 2 years. Blame the Liberals if you want, but they've stayed home for the past 2 years, so find another whipping boy there guys.
Coming up to the election its becoming very clear that the election is going to be a very close one, with an almost certain minority. One of the seats that the Tories could potentially lose is the riding I'll be voting in. Word is that NDP Janice Bernier could potentially un-seat incumbent Andrew Scheer... but it could be close.
Now I've already made it pretty clear that I want to vote Green in this election, but a vote for the NDP could go a long way to shifting the balance of power. I'm not saying that my vote is going to make the difference between Prime Minister Harper or Prime Minister Dion, but the fact is, it could help. I have zero problem voting NDP, I've voted NDP provincially several times and I think once maybe twice federally. They're my third pick after the Greens and the Bloc Quebecquois.
At least I've got another handfull of days to decide, keep my eyes on the headlines and if I make my decision in the voting booth, well that's my choice to make.
God bless democracy.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Chant Down Babylon
We had an unusual visitor here this week. Rhonda has a little home business creating and maintaining dreadlocks. It puts a few extra bucks in the coffers every few months and we get to meet some new people. She had a new client come by, a self-proclaimed Rastaman. Not a terribly unusual thing considering Rasta and dreadlocks are pretty much synonymous, but the first person we've had by that I could say was a real Rasta.
We discussed the basis of rasta on the Bible, Hallie Selassie I and many other aspects of the religion. One of the aspects I wish I had spoken to him more about was the concept of rejecting Babylon. In Rasta it is beleived that by rejecting modern society (Babylon) and the temptations that come with it, one can reach Zion, their promised land. While to some this likely seems pretty extreme, this gentleman lived in what I understood to be very modest lodgings, working a farm and following the teachings of Jah.
The concept of rejecting many of the things that we have in our world has been a tempting concept for me of late. Call it what you want, the concept resides in many religions - leaving worldly posessions in order to become closer to a higher power. Considering the difficulties and stresses that modern society has, the idea isn't such a bad one.
It is a dream of mine to eventually have a place where I have some seclusion and a simplicity to my life. I'm sure I won't reach this goal until retirement, but I'm preparing now, saving, planning, dreaming. I'm thinking maybe a tree farm or an orchard somewhere, reading, walking, enjoying the world.
Hey a guy can dream can't he?
We discussed the basis of rasta on the Bible, Hallie Selassie I and many other aspects of the religion. One of the aspects I wish I had spoken to him more about was the concept of rejecting Babylon. In Rasta it is beleived that by rejecting modern society (Babylon) and the temptations that come with it, one can reach Zion, their promised land. While to some this likely seems pretty extreme, this gentleman lived in what I understood to be very modest lodgings, working a farm and following the teachings of Jah.
The concept of rejecting many of the things that we have in our world has been a tempting concept for me of late. Call it what you want, the concept resides in many religions - leaving worldly posessions in order to become closer to a higher power. Considering the difficulties and stresses that modern society has, the idea isn't such a bad one.
It is a dream of mine to eventually have a place where I have some seclusion and a simplicity to my life. I'm sure I won't reach this goal until retirement, but I'm preparing now, saving, planning, dreaming. I'm thinking maybe a tree farm or an orchard somewhere, reading, walking, enjoying the world.
Hey a guy can dream can't he?
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Google Chromium
Been using the brand-spankin' new Google Chromium this week. Read an article online then one in Wired and decided it couldn't hurt to try it out.
First impression is how damn CLEAN it is. Then once you start using it more, it gets smaller. It's really a new way of surfing, familliar, yet different. Once you do a little research on how to use it, it becomes very interesting indeed.
The software is really new, so there are a few features that have yet to be seen, no extensions yet, but if I understand some of the new structures they've put into the software, I think that extensions are going to be a bit different, so a new standard for extensions and perhaps even plugins will be created.
The most intriguing part of all this is the fact that it's Open Source. There is a relatively easy to read comic about the software availiable online. It gets kinda technical at the end and to be sure I understood about 13% of it, but if I got my head around this right, they've created and built some pretty impressive new ideas into the realm of the browser and left it all open and free for all to use. They simply want to advance the path of browsers in order to advance the internet. Pretty profound, but then when your business is dependent on the size and use of the internet, the best thing you can do is give people the tools to do it for you for free.
Of course this leaves us in a world potentially saturated with Google. Seriously, I see it in my life already. It's totally integrated. I can query Google from my cell phone, I get my schedule from Google Calendars in my e-mail and as a text message on my phone. This blog is linked to my Google account, as is my YouTube account. Even before Chrome, my browser had several Google-based plugins, and Firefox is synonimous with Google. My homepage is my iGoogle page, I use the search engine for 60% of my searches, I plan trips on Google Maps, have photos on Picassa, and 80% of my office application work is done in Google Documents. I also use at least a half dozen more Google Apps on a daily basis, it's even connected to several peices of software that I use.
We're on the fringe of the cloud folks, and it's name is Google.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Bleh. Work.
Ok so back to work today after beating the SARS to some sort of meaningful submission. Had noticed this weekend that a few minor persistent health complaints that had been bothering me had subsided. And back they came today. Bullshit.
Not sure if its the work or the workplace or what, but these issues only seem to affect me at work. Not gonna get into details, they're personal, but I know one thing. I need to consider this in my career path.
I'm coming back into my desire to devote more time to the label, and have been slowly ramping back up. I'm running into and will run into more resistance from my wife and understandably so, but I want to get a whole heap of issues dealt with before I hit my stride again so that this time when the label consumes me, it will hopefully be easier to manage the rest of my life so she's gonna have less to complain about... ;)
Five more days and Pilotsworld.ca is gone ... update those bookmarks to http://pilotsworld.blogspot.com now!!!!
Not sure if its the work or the workplace or what, but these issues only seem to affect me at work. Not gonna get into details, they're personal, but I know one thing. I need to consider this in my career path.
I'm coming back into my desire to devote more time to the label, and have been slowly ramping back up. I'm running into and will run into more resistance from my wife and understandably so, but I want to get a whole heap of issues dealt with before I hit my stride again so that this time when the label consumes me, it will hopefully be easier to manage the rest of my life so she's gonna have less to complain about... ;)
Five more days and Pilotsworld.ca is gone ... update those bookmarks to http://pilotsworld.blogspot.com now!!!!
My wife wants me to weigh in on the election...
Really.
Well if you drive by my house, there's a Green Party sign on the lawn. I just added the button to my blog.
So why Green? Well I like, support and understand their platform and they seem to be running the most mature, and honestly most business like campaign. I look at an election like a job interview/performance review. The other parties in the race (with the possible exception on the BQ - I unapologetically admit I don't follow them closely - their half a nation away from me) spend a great deal of time lambasting their opponents and promising obscure and often complex programs. Either that or I just summarily disapprove of what they do/have done.
While the Green Party is a "single issue" party, they've managed to create a platform that covers a wide range of social, economic and national issues under one umbrella. They have a commitment to social justice, sustainability, diversity, healthcare reform and a new look at the way our government does business.
But I'm not in the business of telling people how to vote. That at it's root is an abuse of democracy. The parties all have their own webpages, or you can phone any one of their offices and talk to their representative in your riding. Narrow down your choices, make some informed decisions and if you listen to one thing I say, PLEASE VOTE ON OCTOBER 14. This, more than who you vote for is important to me. I see our political parties starting to take alot of liberties with the power they've been given, from the Liberals to to Conservatives. I think at the root of this is a lack of engagement from the voting public. The world is a busy place and we can't always be running off to protests, but an hour or two every 3-5 years is not enough to ask for you to maintain your freedoms and send a message to our leaders that we ARE watching them and we DO care what they do.
But vote Green, 'cause I'd love to see the look on Stephen Harpers stupid face when he's the minorty leader under Elizabeth May. I would giggle my goddamn ass off.
Well if you drive by my house, there's a Green Party sign on the lawn. I just added the button to my blog.
So why Green? Well I like, support and understand their platform and they seem to be running the most mature, and honestly most business like campaign. I look at an election like a job interview/performance review. The other parties in the race (with the possible exception on the BQ - I unapologetically admit I don't follow them closely - their half a nation away from me) spend a great deal of time lambasting their opponents and promising obscure and often complex programs. Either that or I just summarily disapprove of what they do/have done.
While the Green Party is a "single issue" party, they've managed to create a platform that covers a wide range of social, economic and national issues under one umbrella. They have a commitment to social justice, sustainability, diversity, healthcare reform and a new look at the way our government does business.
But I'm not in the business of telling people how to vote. That at it's root is an abuse of democracy. The parties all have their own webpages, or you can phone any one of their offices and talk to their representative in your riding. Narrow down your choices, make some informed decisions and if you listen to one thing I say, PLEASE VOTE ON OCTOBER 14. This, more than who you vote for is important to me. I see our political parties starting to take alot of liberties with the power they've been given, from the Liberals to to Conservatives. I think at the root of this is a lack of engagement from the voting public. The world is a busy place and we can't always be running off to protests, but an hour or two every 3-5 years is not enough to ask for you to maintain your freedoms and send a message to our leaders that we ARE watching them and we DO care what they do.
But vote Green, 'cause I'd love to see the look on Stephen Harpers stupid face when he's the minorty leader under Elizabeth May. I would giggle my goddamn ass off.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Update your bookmarks and more stuff
Before I forget, update your bookmarks to Pilots World to the old address http://pilotsworld.blogspot.com/ . pilotsworld.ca is gonna expire in the next month or so and I'm not planning on renewing it. Just not that important to me anymore.
This just in - Paul Newman has passed away. So eat a salad today and pour a 40 of salad dressing on the curb.
This just in - Paul Newman has passed away. So eat a salad today and pour a 40 of salad dressing on the curb.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Ok I give up
I've had so much trouble finishing my Beijing saga that I just give up. Everyday I don't finish it is a day I'm not blogging about something else. So let's just say I got arrested, again, got SARS and ended up eating meecrob until my ass fell out and they sent me home.
That'll do.
So been a flurry of stuff the past month or so. Played Field Fest with Linger a few weeks ago. Pretty good deal. The band has broken up and re-formed as a new group featuring the Roman Bros. - Dave and Vic, the Pilon Bros. - Me and Andrew and the one and only Scotty T. We're finalizing our name and will start work on our new material next weekend. I think everyone is very excited, we've got a new - more stable guitarist and we're going to be playing music that we've all evenly contributed and written. Linger was getting very stale for everyone in the band and it was creating tension. The past couple months have been a rocky transition, but by probably spring next year we'll be rippin' and raring for our first gig and should hopefully melt some face and brains with the new material. I don't think anyone has any idea yet what it's gonna sound like, but I'm sure it will be rockin' and progressive... and overly technical if I'm jusdging everyone correctly.
Maent Records has been stuttering and stalling. I'm home on a sick day today (the SARS) so I'm gonna do a quick update on the home page and get some info out for people. We've completed our first release a short-run CD-EP by the one and only Johnny Rockstar. We had our first sale a few weeks ago, so we're making that red number a bit smaller now. We're trying to organise and re-tool the company right now as things got WAY out of hand in the beginning there and we were spending more time trying to meet expectations of others without making our own footprint in the industry which was our goal in the first place. But things are getting better and expect to see more from the crew in late October/early November.
Getting the house together the past few weeks and I'd be well on my way if I wasn't knocked on my ass by this fucking SARS shit. Got the garage totally cleaned out (thank you Used Regina!) and am half way though getting the practice/writing studio/tv room/chill area/general purpose room cleaned out and storage back to where it needs to be. I need to find a couple quality folding tables and get some more plugs installed in the room, but that shouldn't be too much of a challenge. Finally having the freedom to get the house together and make it liveable is a massive load off my mind and I actually look forward to more cleaning and organizing. I've never been mister neat, and add to that some of the shall we say "self-created retardedness" of the past 10 years or so haven't made it any better, so finally finding myself in a place in life where I can fix my problems instead of making them is very zen.
Baby is rolling all over the place and likes to "talk" all the time. She's very cute, but can also be very fussy and grumpy at times. But she's getting better.
Anyhoo, election coming up. Please don't vote Conservative in the coming Canadian election people. You'd only be shooting yourselfs in the foot. Unless you own a big Corporation. Then maybe you'd be ok. I'm throwing my clout behind the Green Party again. I'm tired of sacrificing my values in an attempt to knock off another party. I know the Green Party is an awfully constrained way to run a party, but I think if democracy was run properly, there would be a multitude of parties like them and we'd have more expertise on issues instead of the general approach attached to an idiom that we currently have.
That'll do.
So been a flurry of stuff the past month or so. Played Field Fest with Linger a few weeks ago. Pretty good deal. The band has broken up and re-formed as a new group featuring the Roman Bros. - Dave and Vic, the Pilon Bros. - Me and Andrew and the one and only Scotty T. We're finalizing our name and will start work on our new material next weekend. I think everyone is very excited, we've got a new - more stable guitarist and we're going to be playing music that we've all evenly contributed and written. Linger was getting very stale for everyone in the band and it was creating tension. The past couple months have been a rocky transition, but by probably spring next year we'll be rippin' and raring for our first gig and should hopefully melt some face and brains with the new material. I don't think anyone has any idea yet what it's gonna sound like, but I'm sure it will be rockin' and progressive... and overly technical if I'm jusdging everyone correctly.
Maent Records has been stuttering and stalling. I'm home on a sick day today (the SARS) so I'm gonna do a quick update on the home page and get some info out for people. We've completed our first release a short-run CD-EP by the one and only Johnny Rockstar. We had our first sale a few weeks ago, so we're making that red number a bit smaller now. We're trying to organise and re-tool the company right now as things got WAY out of hand in the beginning there and we were spending more time trying to meet expectations of others without making our own footprint in the industry which was our goal in the first place. But things are getting better and expect to see more from the crew in late October/early November.
Getting the house together the past few weeks and I'd be well on my way if I wasn't knocked on my ass by this fucking SARS shit. Got the garage totally cleaned out (thank you Used Regina!) and am half way though getting the practice/writing studio/tv room/chill area/general purpose room cleaned out and storage back to where it needs to be. I need to find a couple quality folding tables and get some more plugs installed in the room, but that shouldn't be too much of a challenge. Finally having the freedom to get the house together and make it liveable is a massive load off my mind and I actually look forward to more cleaning and organizing. I've never been mister neat, and add to that some of the shall we say "self-created retardedness" of the past 10 years or so haven't made it any better, so finally finding myself in a place in life where I can fix my problems instead of making them is very zen.
Baby is rolling all over the place and likes to "talk" all the time. She's very cute, but can also be very fussy and grumpy at times. But she's getting better.
Anyhoo, election coming up. Please don't vote Conservative in the coming Canadian election people. You'd only be shooting yourselfs in the foot. Unless you own a big Corporation. Then maybe you'd be ok. I'm throwing my clout behind the Green Party again. I'm tired of sacrificing my values in an attempt to knock off another party. I know the Green Party is an awfully constrained way to run a party, but I think if democracy was run properly, there would be a multitude of parties like them and we'd have more expertise on issues instead of the general approach attached to an idiom that we currently have.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
After Jail
Sorry to cut you guys off there, but I'm back. I'm safe, I'm ok, I just gotta figure out how to get home now.
So I got out of jail, and made my way into the street, destitute, no way home, no language.
Sounds like bad writing to me.
A kindly old woman approached me as I lie crying in the rain on a bench. I'm not sure what she said, but she was very calming and soon was ushering me onto a bus. The bus drove for I don't know how long until we got off at the foot of a large group of dense public apartment buildings. I was ushered up three fights of stairs (wondering what those on the top 30 or 40 floors did) and was soon seated on the floor wrapped in a warm blanket.
I fell asleep at some point and awoke very ill. I was shivering and nauseous. Seems the lack of proper nutrition, stress and lack of sleep had affected me quite negatively. I was fortunate as the woman, Ma Xiuxiu was a great comfort and kept me fed and nursed me constantly. We watched the Olympics, I was able to tell her where I was from by watching the diving and pointing when Alexandre Despatie and Arturo Miranda dove. She soon rushed me an atlas and I was able to show her where I lived.
I've been there ever since. As my strength returns, I go for walks, a little more everyday. She gives me a few yuan everyday to go to the local market to pick up some rice and vegetables. Rhonda will be glad to hear that Xiuxiu has been allowing me very little meat. She pats my belly and laughs when I try to ask. Any extra money she lets me keep, I've been using it to get internet time to contact home. She really has been a wonder to be around, I do hope someday I can repay her for her kindness.
But I should head home, supper will be nearly ready, and Xiuxiu has some sort of suprise for me, she had a red envelope for me before I left, but she wouldn't let me open it until I get back.
I'll let you know how it goes!
So I got out of jail, and made my way into the street, destitute, no way home, no language.
Sounds like bad writing to me.
A kindly old woman approached me as I lie crying in the rain on a bench. I'm not sure what she said, but she was very calming and soon was ushering me onto a bus. The bus drove for I don't know how long until we got off at the foot of a large group of dense public apartment buildings. I was ushered up three fights of stairs (wondering what those on the top 30 or 40 floors did) and was soon seated on the floor wrapped in a warm blanket.
I fell asleep at some point and awoke very ill. I was shivering and nauseous. Seems the lack of proper nutrition, stress and lack of sleep had affected me quite negatively. I was fortunate as the woman, Ma Xiuxiu was a great comfort and kept me fed and nursed me constantly. We watched the Olympics, I was able to tell her where I was from by watching the diving and pointing when Alexandre Despatie and Arturo Miranda dove. She soon rushed me an atlas and I was able to show her where I lived.
I've been there ever since. As my strength returns, I go for walks, a little more everyday. She gives me a few yuan everyday to go to the local market to pick up some rice and vegetables. Rhonda will be glad to hear that Xiuxiu has been allowing me very little meat. She pats my belly and laughs when I try to ask. Any extra money she lets me keep, I've been using it to get internet time to contact home. She really has been a wonder to be around, I do hope someday I can repay her for her kindness.
But I should head home, supper will be nearly ready, and Xiuxiu has some sort of suprise for me, she had a red envelope for me before I left, but she wouldn't let me open it until I get back.
I'll let you know how it goes!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Ok; Still in Bejing.
F___
After my last post, I headed to the airport, got my money and headed to get a ticket home. As luck would have it, if I stayed the night and left in the morning, I could get my ticket for half price, and accommodations would be a small concern, according to the kind woman at the ticket counter.
I left the airport for the downtown where I was told I would find a hotel with ease. I arrived in the crowded downtown, and soon came along a small stand in an alley. A nice gentleman sold me five DVD's - Charlie Bartlett, Dark Knight, Pineapple Express, Step-Brothers and The Office Season 3 for $5US - A deal to me.. and I had heard about some of these Asian countries selling cheap bootleg movies.
Just as the money was changing hands, a police officer rounded the corner and there I was, in the back of a truck with about 8 street vendors, sans passport or wallet.
I spent the night in a frighteningly sterile cell, isolated from the remainder of the group. I didn't sleep a wink, no clue of the language, no money, passport, phone. They even took my car keys. Just my clothes and belly button lint (I would soon resort to amusing myself playing catch with myself using the latter).
The next morning a soldier came in returned my wallet, phone, keys and passport. The wallet had been conveniently lightened. I still had my ticket, but had already missed my plane by the time I made it to the airport.
Oh my time at the internet cafe is nearly up. I've got to e-mail my parents and wife before time runs out. i'll Talk to you all later.
After my last post, I headed to the airport, got my money and headed to get a ticket home. As luck would have it, if I stayed the night and left in the morning, I could get my ticket for half price, and accommodations would be a small concern, according to the kind woman at the ticket counter.
I left the airport for the downtown where I was told I would find a hotel with ease. I arrived in the crowded downtown, and soon came along a small stand in an alley. A nice gentleman sold me five DVD's - Charlie Bartlett, Dark Knight, Pineapple Express, Step-Brothers and The Office Season 3 for $5US - A deal to me.. and I had heard about some of these Asian countries selling cheap bootleg movies.
Just as the money was changing hands, a police officer rounded the corner and there I was, in the back of a truck with about 8 street vendors, sans passport or wallet.
I spent the night in a frighteningly sterile cell, isolated from the remainder of the group. I didn't sleep a wink, no clue of the language, no money, passport, phone. They even took my car keys. Just my clothes and belly button lint (I would soon resort to amusing myself playing catch with myself using the latter).
The next morning a soldier came in returned my wallet, phone, keys and passport. The wallet had been conveniently lightened. I still had my ticket, but had already missed my plane by the time I made it to the airport.
Oh my time at the internet cafe is nearly up. I've got to e-mail my parents and wife before time runs out. i'll Talk to you all later.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Back at the Internet Cafe
Ok, so I'm back at the internet cafe that I was at last time. Been very strange, but I had to try and stay in familiar territory.
I called Rhonda just after the last blog, I thought that she might be excited that I was going to go check out the swimming. She asked if I had even thought of getting a round-trip ticket. I hadn't. So about twenty minutes later, once she had reached through the international phone cable and pulled my testicles out my throat, we arranged for her to borrow some cash and Western Union it to me at the airport here. I can get on a plane and get home.
Sorry babe.
I ended up heading to the swimming pavilion not too long later. I would learn at the front door that no event started that day until 2. So I went for a walk around the arena to pass some time and consider my next move. Suddenly I was hit with a very sudden need to find a bathroom. I suppose it's not necessarily wise to drink fountain water in a city whose air is thick enough to pour on pancakes. I ran to a side door of the arena and threw the first door I saw open and ran down a hall. Thankfully, the little man on the door means the same thing in China as in Canada, and I soon found relief.
Emerging from the stall I realized I had entered a changing room and had direct access to the pool deck. Following my keen pool-health knowledge, I removed my shoes and proceeded to check out the pool. Any ex-pool boy is gonna be curious what China built for a pool for the OLYMPICS. Got a good p
ssic -
I headed back out and sat down on a seat to put my shoes on to leave. I must have leaned back to collect my strength to leave and I just passed out.
The next thing I knew, I was being shaken and a young Chinese man with poor English was above me imploring, "Please Meestar. I will be punished if you are found here. Jail for you. Leave now quickly!" As I ran out of the building I could see a lineup developing at the doors.. it was nearly noon.... I had entered the building at 5 or 6 in the morning.
So I decided to make my way back here and update the world on what's happening. Rhonda will be excited to see my pool photo. Hopefully my next post will be from the airport, waiting for the plane to take me home. I might go check out a store or something on my way to the airport and see what's up. Gonna check my e-mail here too.
I called Rhonda just after the last blog, I thought that she might be excited that I was going to go check out the swimming. She asked if I had even thought of getting a round-trip ticket. I hadn't. So about twenty minutes later, once she had reached through the international phone cable and pulled my testicles out my throat, we arranged for her to borrow some cash and Western Union it to me at the airport here. I can get on a plane and get home.
Sorry babe.
I ended up heading to the swimming pavilion not too long later. I would learn at the front door that no event started that day until 2. So I went for a walk around the arena to pass some time and consider my next move. Suddenly I was hit with a very sudden need to find a bathroom. I suppose it's not necessarily wise to drink fountain water in a city whose air is thick enough to pour on pancakes. I ran to a side door of the arena and threw the first door I saw open and ran down a hall. Thankfully, the little man on the door means the same thing in China as in Canada, and I soon found relief.
Emerging from the stall I realized I had entered a changing room and had direct access to the pool deck. Following my keen pool-health knowledge, I removed my shoes and proceeded to check out the pool. Any ex-pool boy is gonna be curious what China built for a pool for the OLYMPICS. Got a good p
ssic -I headed back out and sat down on a seat to put my shoes on to leave. I must have leaned back to collect my strength to leave and I just passed out.
The next thing I knew, I was being shaken and a young Chinese man with poor English was above me imploring, "Please Meestar. I will be punished if you are found here. Jail for you. Leave now quickly!" As I ran out of the building I could see a lineup developing at the doors.. it was nearly noon.... I had entered the building at 5 or 6 in the morning.
So I decided to make my way back here and update the world on what's happening. Rhonda will be excited to see my pool photo. Hopefully my next post will be from the airport, waiting for the plane to take me home. I might go check out a store or something on my way to the airport and see what's up. Gonna check my e-mail here too.
IN BEJING!!!!
Ok so something weird happened yesterday after that last blog. I just kinda snapped. So I cashed in a bunch of my savings, bought a plane ticket to Bejing, and here I am. At the Olympics.
Pretty cool pictures from the opening ceremonies for you here...
I haven't really got anywhere to sleep yet, and I stayed up pretty much all night... and morning is coming soon. I stepped into this internet cafe to get a coffee and collect my thoughts. Here I am in a foreign country where I don't understand the language, and all I have is my cell phone, my wallet, with a work credit card and my debit card in it, and my passport.
Rhonda said her favourite Olympic event to watch was swimming, so I think I might go check that out, once I find somewhere to get some sleep.
I'm so tired and this keyboard is really weird.
I'll talk to you guys soon.
Pretty cool pictures from the opening ceremonies for you here...
I haven't really got anywhere to sleep yet, and I stayed up pretty much all night... and morning is coming soon. I stepped into this internet cafe to get a coffee and collect my thoughts. Here I am in a foreign country where I don't understand the language, and all I have is my cell phone, my wallet, with a work credit card and my debit card in it, and my passport.
Rhonda said her favourite Olympic event to watch was swimming, so I think I might go check that out, once I find somewhere to get some sleep.
I'm so tired and this keyboard is really weird.
I'll talk to you guys soon.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Ok a Demand and a solution.... to a couple problems....but I might need help.
Ok folks, I've been busy with life - baby and allsuch. But I've got some complaints and some possible solutions...
Problem 1 - The death of the Sask Blogs Aggregator. This was a great resource and not a week would go by that I wouldn't pop in to see how the province was doing. My favourite thing to do was to visit in the hours following a Rider game and see how people were reacting. Carm and crew at CKRM do a great job reviewing the game, but it's fun to hear it from the people. I offered a possible solution to SaskBoy recently then was broadsided with/by life. So I offer this out there to anyone with the time and enthusiasm to pursue it.
- Start a feedtwister account. Begin plugging in RSS feeds from sites submitted and farmed from the original Saskblogs Aggregator - the Blogroll still works and can be seen on the right side of this blog...use it. Then take the generated code and plug it into free or personal webspace. If I could, I would recommend 110mb.com. They also offer fantastic scripts. I think of interest to a page like this would be a message board and a news page, but there are tonnes of scripts and even a small amount of imagination and drive could expand the concept quite a bit... SaskGallery, SaskSMS.. whatever! I'd do it myself, but hey... I blog like once a month.
If I'm lucky.
Problem 2 - No CFL scores in RSS or SMS form. Argh! I've been using my cell-phones SMS ability to a great extent of late. I have it receiving my daily Google Calendar Schedule, Sending me severe weather warnings, a daily forecast and I'm thinking of a few more. One of the ones I'd like it an update at the end of each CFL game on the score of that game.. who won-who lost. The best I can find out there right now includes league news, team and player news, scores and lengthy descriptions. My initial thought is to subscribe to the scores online and in any other way possible, then post them to a blog whose RSS feed one could subscribe to via My Yahoo and use their SMS feature OR start a broadtexter account and let people subscribe to the feed.
Again - time time time.
So until the time someone gets more time than me - help yourself, these ideas are licenced in the public domain.
Problem 1 - The death of the Sask Blogs Aggregator. This was a great resource and not a week would go by that I wouldn't pop in to see how the province was doing. My favourite thing to do was to visit in the hours following a Rider game and see how people were reacting. Carm and crew at CKRM do a great job reviewing the game, but it's fun to hear it from the people. I offered a possible solution to SaskBoy recently then was broadsided with/by life. So I offer this out there to anyone with the time and enthusiasm to pursue it.
- Start a feedtwister account. Begin plugging in RSS feeds from sites submitted and farmed from the original Saskblogs Aggregator - the Blogroll still works and can be seen on the right side of this blog...use it. Then take the generated code and plug it into free or personal webspace. If I could, I would recommend 110mb.com. They also offer fantastic scripts. I think of interest to a page like this would be a message board and a news page, but there are tonnes of scripts and even a small amount of imagination and drive could expand the concept quite a bit... SaskGallery, SaskSMS.. whatever! I'd do it myself, but hey... I blog like once a month.
If I'm lucky.
Problem 2 - No CFL scores in RSS or SMS form. Argh! I've been using my cell-phones SMS ability to a great extent of late. I have it receiving my daily Google Calendar Schedule, Sending me severe weather warnings, a daily forecast and I'm thinking of a few more. One of the ones I'd like it an update at the end of each CFL game on the score of that game.. who won-who lost. The best I can find out there right now includes league news, team and player news, scores and lengthy descriptions. My initial thought is to subscribe to the scores online and in any other way possible, then post them to a blog whose RSS feed one could subscribe to via My Yahoo and use their SMS feature OR start a broadtexter account and let people subscribe to the feed.
Again - time time time.
So until the time someone gets more time than me - help yourself, these ideas are licenced in the public domain.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
6-1
I'm disappointed, but I can understand. Good rally in the 4th quarter, that kind of umph would have been nice in the three quarters preceding it.
Now to crying babies...
Now to crying babies...
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Linger, Home Repairs, GO RIDERS!! and Why MIDI is hard.
Well Linger had another good show last night at the Exchange. I thought we did well, and we put in 3 extra songs at the last minute out of nowhere. I think we did well on all points. A really new experience for me and ironically first tried onstage during soundcheck was to use Victors Mac to play a string arrangement in GarageBand using the computers keyboard.
Spent the entire 3 day weekend working on the house and doing laundry. Things are slow to progress around here, there's alot to be done and alot more comes everyday. But we got nearly all the fallen tree cleaned up today, just a couple more hours - maybe 3 to get the yard back to some semblance of normalcy. Eavestroughs went up really easily, but as was shown during the rain delay of the football game, they don't hold water! But that will be an easy fix. It was a good test, albeit a failed one. Bought 3 big barrels off of Used Regina for a great price to make into rain barrels. I'll have enough water to irrigate the Sahara.
5-0. I lived to see it. I said it before the season started. Let's have faith in Eric Tillman. He knows how to build a team. Even on a continuing rotation of quarterbacks and injuries that would make even the greats' knees buckle, the Riders set a record for season starting tonight. As in, it hasn't been done since they've been playing modern football. Keep up the good work boys... Calgary is going to be a major challenge on Saturday, and Henry is still mad at us.
Been spending what down time I have with my nose in my computer trying to get everything set up to use MY laptop on stage and in performance with my bass playing. I'm looking to hook in my footswitch pedal to my computer. I'll then use it to control sample software and digital synthesizers, while also using my computer keyboard to play more targeted lines. I hope to use this to add a super-low-end layer to Linger's stuff. It will need to be really rappy and deep to cut through the already pretty full Linger sound, but I think it could be cool. I already have plans for foot-controlled lines in Root of Truth, This Narrow Path and of course Melody for the Hanging. I've got some sample ideas for Brian and the Bomb and Swaying Image and steal sample cuing from Dave for Narrow Path and Precious.
This does create some difficulties. I'm considering picking up a professional package like Reason, Cubase or Cakewalk. I've been trying to make it happen with Open Source stuff and while it's highly, highly customizable, it's hard to install, hard to connect devices and Windows Vista is un-forgiving when it comes to some software installations and permissions. If anyone out there has had some good easy MIDI software that might meet my needs, let me know, I'd be anxious to hear it.
Well all, that's that for today I guess. Kinda want to do a funny post like I used to do back in year 1 and 2 of the blog. Life is too short to be so serious.
Spent the entire 3 day weekend working on the house and doing laundry. Things are slow to progress around here, there's alot to be done and alot more comes everyday. But we got nearly all the fallen tree cleaned up today, just a couple more hours - maybe 3 to get the yard back to some semblance of normalcy. Eavestroughs went up really easily, but as was shown during the rain delay of the football game, they don't hold water! But that will be an easy fix. It was a good test, albeit a failed one. Bought 3 big barrels off of Used Regina for a great price to make into rain barrels. I'll have enough water to irrigate the Sahara.
5-0. I lived to see it. I said it before the season started. Let's have faith in Eric Tillman. He knows how to build a team. Even on a continuing rotation of quarterbacks and injuries that would make even the greats' knees buckle, the Riders set a record for season starting tonight. As in, it hasn't been done since they've been playing modern football. Keep up the good work boys... Calgary is going to be a major challenge on Saturday, and Henry is still mad at us.
Been spending what down time I have with my nose in my computer trying to get everything set up to use MY laptop on stage and in performance with my bass playing. I'm looking to hook in my footswitch pedal to my computer. I'll then use it to control sample software and digital synthesizers, while also using my computer keyboard to play more targeted lines. I hope to use this to add a super-low-end layer to Linger's stuff. It will need to be really rappy and deep to cut through the already pretty full Linger sound, but I think it could be cool. I already have plans for foot-controlled lines in Root of Truth, This Narrow Path and of course Melody for the Hanging. I've got some sample ideas for Brian and the Bomb and Swaying Image and steal sample cuing from Dave for Narrow Path and Precious.
This does create some difficulties. I'm considering picking up a professional package like Reason, Cubase or Cakewalk. I've been trying to make it happen with Open Source stuff and while it's highly, highly customizable, it's hard to install, hard to connect devices and Windows Vista is un-forgiving when it comes to some software installations and permissions. If anyone out there has had some good easy MIDI software that might meet my needs, let me know, I'd be anxious to hear it.
Well all, that's that for today I guess. Kinda want to do a funny post like I used to do back in year 1 and 2 of the blog. Life is too short to be so serious.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Friday is a good day to work
Got one of my wonderful new benefits of a full time position at SGI, a Day of Rest. Every second Friday. Booh - Yah!
Spent most of the day cutting up wood and branches from the windfall this week. Also tore down my ruined eaves-trough, did some laundry and swept up the yard.
asparagus and lots of good salads and sides. Needless to say, no one went home hungry and we had some good times. A couple inpromptu jams with the likes of Johnny Rockstar on Guitar and Vocals, Duck Slick on guitar, Ronda on drum, Andrew Pilon on Guitar, Scotty T on Acoustic bass and yours truly on baby holding and playing harmonica with the other hand. Had a distinct western feel tonight, I place the ownice on it being Scotts dad's bass.So now we're just relaxing, continuing our "Bourne Movie" film festival this weekend, can't wait until the next one.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Ok then. Here it is.
Sorry it took so long.
So we did get home the next day. Baby has been a joy for the most part I suppose. She cries, she poops, she sleeps. Occasionally she looks up at you with big blue eyes and laughs. That's why I did it.
She's been feeding well and is overall a healthy happy baby.
Mom is well, now looking to heal the hardships of childbearing and return to living it up like a rockstar.
Went to Ness Creek this weekend. Among the kickass things that happened to me.
1 - Laughing So Damn much.
2 - Five Alarm Funk
3 - Strange wood pixies.
4 - Baby connecting time.
Needless to say, I will be returning to this festival as long as I have energy to walk. And I have a list of people who I need to bring with me.
Had a big storm here tonight and we lost half of our big tree out front. I'm pretty upset about this, not because of t
he work involved and the potential cost, but because I REALLY LIKED THAT TREE. The first place I took Kayah outside to was under that tree and now it's sitting in two piles on my lawn. We also had half our eavestrough come down and maybe some damage to an old crooked pine in the back, but they're pretty minor jobs I think/hope.Mom and Dad moved out of town. Kinda weird, they were this sort of anchor in a familliar place. Michelle is still in town, but hey for how long. Just odd. Weyburn has been my home for mor
e of my life than anyplace, sad to lose touch.Tai is well, attitude of Paris Hilton and coherence of salad dressing, but she's a good kid at heart and really helps out with the baby around.
Dogs=kickass
Bought myself a laptop at long last. Been walking around with a boner for two weeks because of it. No, it's not a Mac, I have mouths to feed.
Got permanent-full time at SGI. Things are interesting there ... what can I say - it pays well.
Label is growing slowly as I need it to. Have to make some tough decisions this week, but that's business and if I can't do it now, it isn't going to get any easier.
Well, I think that's all. Last month was the first I didn't post on since the start of the blog. I'll try to keep that from happening again folks!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Kayah Lily Pilon
Well all, Rhonda had our little baby girl this afternoon. She weighed 6lbs 4oz. I'll put up more info and some pictures in the coming days, but dad is understandably exhausted and needs a bath and coma.
Mom and baby are in perfect health, and I think will be home as soon as tomorrow.
Mom and baby are in perfect health, and I think will be home as soon as tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Friday, May 02, 2008
LINGER CD RELEASE TONIGHT
Hey everyone, TONIGHT, May 2nd at the U of R, my band Linger will be throwing their CD Release party. Three bands, Johnny Rockstar, The League of One and Linger will rock the mother-fucking house down in what promises to be one of the finest evenings of rock experienced in the city of Regina in over 30 years.
Show starts at 8, doors will be open at 7:30. If you want to get some pre-sale tickets, e-mail me at maentrecords att gmail.com. They;re $5... but I won't be anywhere near a computer after 11:00AM Friday... sorry for the late notice. Just want it to be fresh.
LINGER CD RELEASE TONIGHT! BE THERE!
Show starts at 8, doors will be open at 7:30. If you want to get some pre-sale tickets, e-mail me at maentrecords att gmail.com. They;re $5... but I won't be anywhere near a computer after 11:00AM Friday... sorry for the late notice. Just want it to be fresh.
LINGER CD RELEASE TONIGHT! BE THERE!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
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