Up, with now 5 more minutes to spare! Find the last Nut bar and go for it. Don't see frost on my car's windshield so I assume it's fairly warm out, and don't have to heat up my car. Nope, and I'm sitting in my car freezing for about 5 minutes. Bring "White Light/White Heat" for the ride. Finish side one when I get into the parking lot of the school. I love when that happens. It was especially nice when John Cale talks about Waldo's head being punctured in "The Gift" and how the blood pulsates in the morning sunlight, and I was just driving by the beach with the sun coming up. Ah, the simple pleasures.

School was not bad. That's really all I can say.

Met with Mike about the composition. Discussed how it was going to go, and how sometime next week I was going to finish (or at least start) on the master score. We talked about going the "In C" route, and ultimately it's up to the performers when they would like to start the piece. I hope this all works out.

I haven't met 5 mentoring hours, and I haven't met a product goal. Oh well, they can deal with it, as long as I give my parents a heads up a head of time I'm sure they'll be fine. I could probably get away with it because my product is more towards the creative process, saying that I've done 5 hours of composition, but I just chose to show my mentor when I was done, or something like that.

Get home, dick around on the net. Decide to lay down for 20 minutes, which turns into 2 hours. God damn it. Get my stuff together, walk Gromit. It's ball-freezing-cold out with the wind. Listen to XTC's "Skylarking" which honestly was a totally inappropriate choice, for the weather and my mood.
Gromit is very annoying, pulling me everywhere. Semi-frustrated by the end, just happy it's over as the cold and music selection were just not as cohesive as they were yesterday.

Still no word about anyone wanting to play with me or my dad... No word from Martin, or Jon on the show (but I honestly wasn't expecting anything back.), No word from 4 (FOUR!) People that have asked if my guitar was still for sale (I replied "Yes, it is" to all of them). I guess this is different from 2 weeks ago where I literally checked my email every hour and had a new message. Oh well. Things go in cycles.

Good practice session today. For go stretching and dive right into finger exercises. Work on part to "New Breath" at 120 BPM, working my way up to 145 or abouts. Ascending and descending major scales in 3rd in all keys. Will work minor in tomorrow... Play along to Meccalily stuff that doesn't have (or sometime has) basslines. Being a little bit cocky here, I think one or two of the basslines I came up with are better than the ones Wayne wrote (one of them being Haiku).

Hopefully someone will come through tomorrow and I can play...

Oh well, if not there's always that Dukes of Stratosphere cover I'd say I'd do. (Well, I also half finished "I'd Like That" but I think a slot on an actual XTC tribute disc might make me finally finish it).

Didn't sleep very well last night. Kept waking up every 2 hours or so, but fell back asleep with relative ease. Up in the morning, listen to Velvet Underground's "Loaded" on the way in, gives me some perk and joy to hear Lou Reed sing "Despite all the complications, you could just dance to the rock'n'roll station".

School is schooly. Not really anything to note other than I hate it and I think public education is really on the whole becoming a joke (one exception to this rule is AP Psychology, but part of that is because Mr. Schroeter is awesome and the only teacher I can discuss Frank Zappa with, plus he spotted out my Sigur Ros and Flaming Lips shirts, plus the subject is very interesting). Give Bill a ride home, spout how it was bullshit that the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame didn't give Doug Yule a spot in the Velvets introduction, and how it was bullshit that Lou Reed was given credit for all of his songs. He may have written them, but he sure as hell never told Cale to string up his viola with guitar strings, or have Maureen play with just a bass drum and toms toms or Sterling how to play bitchin, soulful leads. He probably wasn't listening. Also, about a month before he was really really confused at how I was praising and pretty much slobbering over The Velvet Underground in a discussion. Turns out he was confusing them with Velvet Revolver. That's pretty much Bill in a nutshell, musically.



Home, dick around on the internet. Mike still hasn't called back, left another message. Start to get tired, but
bring out the dog while listening to Mummer, I feel daring, so I sing along the entire walk, and it's a great workout for my voice. Talk to dad when he gets home about his job, how things are going. Amused us both that the new piece of the backup server was expected to be up and running by the end of the day, when the tape on the box wasn't even ripped open. Talk to him about organizing some music for friday, also about an idea I had. A group called The California Guitar Trio are a trio of guitarists (duh) that met through Guitar Craft. What's important is that they usually play as a trio. (again, duh) But they also have one or two albums where Tony Levin and Pat Masteletto join them for rhythm section duties. I've been thinking about doing this with A Post Modern John material. I talked to Dan and he seemed very enthusiastic towards the entire. I guess it helps when you're gigantic fans of the band already. Will pitch it to Jon at a bonfire, or maybe when the weather warms up, whichever comes first.

Play a whole lot of bass today, great day for ear training. More dicking around on the net, shower and now to bed. Hope I'll sleep well...

Wake up, off to school, but actually get to have breakfast while the car is warming up. Inconceivable! Listen to M. Ward on the way in, but I make it a block from my house before noticing this girl. I put the car in reverse and ask her if she was going to the high school. She says yes. The time is about 7:10, 10 minutes after the bus arrives. She says yes and hops in. I understand if it was a bit creepy, but I introduce myself, and we start talking. She says she's new and moved from North Providence. We talk about the senior project and how she wants to do something with teenage mothers. She mentions, very nonchalantly that she is adopted, which surprised me. Turned out her dad plays bass in a blues band.

School is just sucking the life out of me more and more, it's ridiculous. Today just pushed me over the edge. In Civics we were made to read J. Saunders Redding's "Being a Negro in America". A beautiful, fluid and well-written essay about the struggles of the civil rights movement and the history of one of it's supporters. And we were to interpret it into IM speak. I am not fucking kidding. It was single-handedly the worst assignment I have ever had to do in my educational career. No amount of busy work could have amounted to this. This beautiful example of text in the english language was to be stripped away, watered down, and given the syntax that the ignorant use for day to day life. I have not used "IM" speak since I was 12 years old, and even then, one day I said to myself "...This is completely stupid." I have typed text messages, IM, emails and almost everything else in the proper format of the English language as close as I can. I'm not a perfect writer, but damn it I bet I can write better than some of the students in my own grade. I could just not believe that the social studies faculty approved this to be a proper lesson.

After that, I tried to regain some composure in my mind, and managed to see some natural light, which was marvelous. I gave Bill and Cameron rides home, and popped in the new Neptune album for Bill. He seemed impressed, but I can never tell with him.

Home, dicking around on the net, more PMJ binging. Maybe this will stop one day? Maybe not. Homework, call Mike Karikas in a hope to meet him with the composition...

I feel like I'll go to bed early...

Alright, I'd apologize for the delay but I really haven't had anything to write about. I've pretty much just been listening to A Post Modern John pretty damn heavily for the past 3 months (Actually more like 6, which is what prompted me to organize a show with him). I got my bass head, a Gallien-Kruger 700 RB-II. Got it at Guitar Center for 599 even, checked back at the house and found I could get it at a third party distributor for like 540, d'oh! Oh well. I already registered it to the company for the warranty so I couldn't return and buy the other one...

I feel like I've been in a rut. Maybe it's because of my laziness, my procrastination. Maybe I'm just getting tired with my scenery, I feel like that's the main reason. I need to play music with people. Desperately. Preferably bass, but I need to play. I need to create and interact and all that stuff.

I've figured out the niche genre that A Post Modern John "fits" into. Worldgaze. A fusion of shoegaze and world music. It was just a joke to myself when I came up with it, but more and more I realize it's very fitting.

I heard on NPR that your entire high school experience is comprised of 2 million minutes. I felt like I wanted to cry. 2 million minutes I ultimately could have spent creating something of my own, or socializing with intelligent people, or actually learning something on my own that isn't made to be dumbed down to the lowest common denominator. I always get depressed around this time of year, but later actually. I don't hit this slump until March usually.

I applied for a job at Bonnet Video. During the application the clerk changed the movie in the DVD player, and 2 minutes in I recognized it as Blade Runner by the soundtrack alone. One of the questions was "Do you have any sort of artistic ability?" I wrote down none in video, lots in music. Turns out that Bonnet Video is a front for the guys production company and ultimately is making some small budget movies. We started talking and I let it known that I know my way around an audio editor. We talk some more and he gives me his email address. I also mention Justin to him briefly. I need to talk with him (The clerk) and if it doesn't seem like I can get the time for it I'll recommend Justin, as he literally has just finished on a course on this stuff.

To jump back to saturday, Nick and Astrid had a party at their place. It was fun, I had fun, but I don't think I'm going to party that hard for a while. Just didn't feel right for some reason.

Composition has been going alright, not has smoothly as I wish but I guess that's partly my fault.

I need something to occupy my mind.


Also, as I type this I am listening to quite possibly the best A Post Modern John track-"Stormy Sea". It's a shame he really decided not to keep going with the spoken word stuff, at least in the studio.

So, I apologize for not updating this in the past few days. Not a lot has happened. Picked up my synth from B-Sharp, got my cabinet, dropped off my dad's old Ampeg tube amp at B-sharp. I haven't really composed yet, so come hell or high water, by the end of the night I will have gotten two hours of composition done. I will not go to bed until I have SOMETHING written.

Unfortunately the printer is acting up and I really don't want to scribble sheet music for myself. So I shall wait until the night, which is when I feel the most productive anyway...

Today, going off to Daddy's Junkie Music to try heads, and also see if my cab works. Since my combo is bi-amp I was only allowed to feed it low signal, so it sounded like I just cut all the highs out of it. Fuck. Oh well, this gives me a good excuse to get out of the house...


Saw the lunar eclipse last night with my dad and our friend Jon Buser. Was very fun and a good time had by all. On the way home my dad mentioned how I'm good company, sometimes I don't feel that way, but I guess I think I tend to ramble on a bit when conversing and always lose my point when I reach it. I need to be more pithy I guess.

Also holy shit it's thursday, where did the week go?

Up at noon. Nothing big to speak off. Clean up, do some car maintenance. Practice bass for 30 minutes, but not really anything accomplished. More of a dicking around than a practice. I didn't even stretch. Killed some time before heading up to Providence to AS220. Original plan was to just get something up there to eat, but this was not the case. Got in around 8:30, and saw the Taqueria was closed. I forgot it was sunday. Well, that ravioli I had for dinner seemed an even better idea in retrospect. Also, I was going to save 5 bux. Who am I to argue with finances?

The show at AS220 was

The Glass Shivers
The White Mice
Lazy Magnet
Neptune

Glass Shivers kicked things off with a fade-in. Their ambient glitch/noise-scapes were rich and dense, but felt like they were holding back a bit. Some people talking during the crowd, kinda detracted during the quiet parts. Everyone could have turned up. Loud parts were not as loud as they should have been for effect. Talk to Ken, he recognized me after my haircut. I stumble over my words at first but quickly sort them out. Talk to Scott, also in the band, we talk about gear and what they use, and what I use. He says that Ken saw A Troop of Echoes play, I think I remember that show, probably the one with Wizzardz. Also saw the bass player from Xerxes tonight, although I couldn't remember it and had to ask him where he was from. Oops.
The White Mice were next. I saw them at Machines With Magnets and they blew. Hard. I was really worried that they were going to take a nosedive into shit, but they pulled up at the last minute (I guess). Whoever they had on laptop is gone, and in his place are a guitar player and a electronics man, running a Boss rhythmmachine into a sampler and both of them into a Kaoss pad. Sounded great, although it was not as loud was the MWM show. Mid-way through the bass player cranked the electronic guy, and I think the guitar turned up as well, and the sound balanced itself out. In songs he wasn't a part of, the electronics guy got in the pit. It was a good time. Got in the pit 4 or 5 times (don't worry, I brought a glasses hardcase. Why I didn't do that before is stupefying. I can still have glasses AND be in the pit! It's amazing!) Also, the electronics guy has a bunny head on, as opposed to a mouse. Wish I could get one of the mice masks. Would be bitchin to wear that sucker around for a day.
Up next was Lazy Magnet. Sorta like a shoegaze Magnetic Fields. I thought they were alright. Walked out half way in the set, just couldn't get into it. Bought a White Mice shirt and the new Neptune CD as well as a shirt from them. Total came to 27, I only had 25 left. Thankfully they just said no problem. Still feel kinda bad.
Then was Neptune. Jesus christ, I have never been to a show more intense. It was like they were staring you down in the face for 40 minutes, hands pressed against your head. Although I was a little miffed as the second guitar player spent 10 minutes tuning his "guitar". For those that don't know, they make their own guitars out of junk metal, and their own synthesizers out of schematics. What sucks though is that the guy doesn't write down, or even KNOW his tuning. Seeing them at the Machines With Magnets show, I asked him what was the tuning on his guitar. He just showed me chords he plays in the songs.
So, he spends 10 minutes tuning his guitar to a variety of whack-assed-2-octave-spanning-tunings. He finally gets it "right" and they go into the first song. Of course, there is not a hint of tonality anywhere on the guitar, so you really can't notice. After the song he says "I GOT IT!" and proceeds to tune back to his "standard" tuning. And then he snaps a string. "I probably need that, but who cares?" he says. And they proceed to be Hell's premier dance band. Strangely danceable songs to atonal music. Amazingly intense music, and show. End of the set, they're saying thank you while the crowd is eating it up. But we wanted more. We give them some suggestions to appease us. One of these options was to improvise, or "MAKE UP A SONG" as it was suggested. They're not going anywhere, and they damn well know it. The swagger back to their positions, the drummer yelling "Alright, you guys asked for it." And proceed to make us dance/mosh even further. I should note that I was on the left side of the stage, right up front, the entire time (I had to take my cell phone out to give the guy a light, as he was plugging in pedals and changing settings through the set) and I was headbanging and jumping up and down but I didn't engage in the pit, until this moment. I jump, literally, into the pit and instantly start shoving, pushing, pogoing, and swarming myself around the circumference of a four foot circle. Thank god I didn't do it for the whole set, I was exhausted by the end of the "song". But, at least no one could say I didn't get into it. They stop. We cheer. They say they have no more material, and this time we believe them. The lights come up, everyone shuffles out and I say my goodbyes to Ken and Neptune, thanking them for the show and everything.
As I come out, it's raining, but I really don't care as I'm sweating and very hot. I clutch my jacket and walk down the block coming towards the little alley of Matthewson spilling out onto Empire. This woman I pass by just looks and says "WOOOO PARTY ON DUDE" to me. I keep walk, briskly, just to get to my car to collect my head, and my thoughts. On the way home, a stationwagon with it's front all smashed to pieces almost cuts me off. All I can see if the license plate and the front of the car. The plate reads "PARDY" and I drive. I drive and think that I really really hate clubbing scum bags. Drive home listening to the new Neptune record. It sounds great (musically and production wise), although I wish it was a bit longer.

The trio of shows is now over with, what am I going to do to occupy myself for the next week? Compose? Looks like I might have to...

I'm not sure if I actually like YES, or if I never want to hear another YES song as long as I live...

Nothing really of note except the show last night. Your Move with the New England Guitar Circle. Around 4 went up with Matt and Tom (?) Richter to go up to Cambridge, ended up picking up a friend (Ted, I think his name was) and swapped rides for a big ass diesel Suburban. Was amazing for the trip. It was very interesting to here the three of them talk about friends they use to hang out with, and what they would do for fun as they grew up on Aquidneck Island. Minor SNAFU happens when we're on the MassPike and Matt takes out his wallet and notices he forgot the tickets. Oops. Park our Chariot into Cambridge (almost causing a major accident first) and grab Indian food from a couple of blocks from the venue. Great great food, and great company. Matt decided to book it to the venue before we ate and figure out if we could work something out. He talks to the keyboard player and all is well. The venue is the theater for a YMCA, and is very very nice acoustically and aesthetically. Sit down in the balcony for The Circle. Very nice performance for all. Calliope, Lark's Thraak and Eye of the Needle were very very good. They debuted three "new" pieces, one of which was Intergalactic Boogie Express. Very nice playing from everyone, a few missed notes, but they're only human, even if they don't want to be human. Noticed flash photography (how could you not?) during their set. Talked to Martin before and he said (in a manner of speaking) that they do not want flash photography. Almost went and talked to the photographers, but they were done in a manner of seconds. Drummer from Your Move was in the balcony, and had to take a phone call. I'm not perturbed about the phone call, but instead of immediately exiting the auditorium he sat in his chair for a good 10 seconds before getting up and walking out of the auditorium, while still talking! Did take me out of the moment, but not the performance. Last piece they played was absolutely beautiful, but I forgot the name of it. Burned three Troop of Echoes samplers as I needed to give one to Glenn (of Church of Flying Dreams) and was planning on giving one to Martin and Lily. Remember I already gave Martin one, so I have an extra one sitting in my pocket. Talked to him about Guitar Craft after, he recommended going up to a Circle rehearsal with him one night. Maybe I'm just looking to play with more people and my efforts are misguided. Also talk to him about the idea that at a show such as the Circle, Robert Fripp stated the only person he was sure of that were "listening actively" were Crafties. What bullshit. To say that I can't have the same musical experience and emotional impact than the 40 year old IT consultant who shelled out 700 dollars to sit in a forest somewhere and eat oatmeal with Fripp? I'm just being angry here... But it still turned me off. I've found in my short 18 years on this big-ass sphere of molten rock with an outer layer of dirt, my "inactive listening" has done me just fine.
Your move is up next, and while I've actually never really listened to Yes (except for Roundabout, possibly their only good song, and I'm talking about the single edit). I still find myself enjoying the first set. They bust out some Genesis (although I couldn't really tell. All british prog bands sound the same, which I guess is why Peter Gabriel had to dress up like a flower. And I am not including King Crimson because, frankly, anything post In The Court of The Crimson King and pre Lark's Tongue sucks. Big time. You know it deep down in your heart it does. But anything after that is not fucking prog rock. Sure, they play in 7/8, but it's the "We're-gonna-beat-your-head-in-and-then-go-home-and-fuck-your-girlfriend" 7/8) and some Rush. Rush wasn't bad actually, and it was Limelight. They could have done a fucking Neil Peart song and it would have all been over. After Limelight I notice Justin had called me, so I find this an opportune time to show myself out and have a nice chat with him. Although he does bend my ear a bit at times. We talk about Banter/3.1 ending and how he's almost turned into a completely different band. I honestly think setting a "sell-by" date to his project was bullshit to begin with. If you're putting an expiration date on a project, it probably wasn't good enough to begin with. Banter/3.1 wasn't bad by any stretch of the means (although his songs needed a little more variety and to be more succinct) but if he was moving this out of the way to work on bigger things (his original intentions if I remember right) there's no reason he can't call a "indefinite hiatus" to his work. I stopped writing "pop" songs to work on House On Fire, albeit off and on.
Although I guess that he's been thinking that B/3.1 is almost over officially as a concept, and needs to move on as a new band and a new band name, which makes sense. B/3.1 original aim was to make dance tracks. That really didn't happen. Now, he's REALLY make dance tracks. His drum tracks are still a little rudimentary, and need more drive and pulse in order to really be dance tracks, but he's working his way up there. I think in his mind he knew he had to evolve. He just didn't know how he would get there.

Ok, enough about Justin (hey buddy, I know you read this. I'm being very passive aggressive about the whole thing.)

Where was I?

Oh, yes, the tribute band.

I dunno, I really didn't think they were anything special. The only saving grace was that they were all excellent musicians and watching them play was fun, but live is really the only time it can happen, and it got old quick. They did two sets, which I really feel was not necessary. Oh well. After the show, find Glenn and give him a disc, talk about doing some shows and all that stuff. Help the circle lug out some gear with their PA.

Lovely ride on the way home, although once we got in the car, a woman knocked on the window and said "Your SUV is polluting my air quality". Was very funny, as she was literally RIGHT next to 2 taxis who were putting out exhaust like there was no tomorrow. Fine ride back. Stopped for Milkshakes at a Burger King. Matt got a large shake, as he said it was like 40 more cents, and "Life is too short for that shit". Pull into Ted's driveway, walked out and almost got run over as I walked directly behind the car. D'oh! Ride back to the park n' ride where I ...parked... with Matt and Tom. Matt said on the way home how Martin is looking to get a group together, since I guess Meccalily is officially over. (Awww). Hopefully something can come of it and I can at least be a part of it.

Home at 2, dicking around on the internet until 2:30, bed. No practice today.

Up "late" again today. Grab a banana and Battles for the ride and I'm out the door after putting the garbage out. School is boring. Last day before vacation, so time just needs to pass for me to be happy. Jaime comes up to me in lunch, I needed to retrive a group project off of her USB drive, but she tells me the Spanish Project is in trouble. We need to get a teacher to teach an elementary class some spanish. All teachers are taken and we need to go after school. We arrive at the Elementary School and receive the last teacher... Thank god, we were almost out of luck. Go to Brewed Awakenings, have a smoothie and sandwich to kill an hour. She gets various calls from her boyfriend as they have plans. Long story short he starts accusing her of cheating, and has suspicion that I am in on it. It all gets straightened out but not before I have to roll my eyes at the situation.
On the way home we talked. I said things I honestly should not have said. That's what I get for being an open book, at least from my point of view. But I trust Jaime and hope she will not tell anyone.
Afterwards, get home, surf the web. Had to upload the spanish project to the RIEPS system. Was late towards the due date by 1 minute. Fuck! I need to manage my time better. See a white flash outside the corner of my eye. Don't think anything of it until I recognize the white blur with a black patch on it. Ask mom where the dog is. She said out on the porch. Uh-oh. Retrieve the dog but not after cutting through 2 backyards. Take him out on a walk, listen to "English Settlement" by XTC. Rejuvenating and refreshing. Get back home, put in a quick bass practice, 30 minutes, before leaving for the show. Very nice, worked out descending in major 3rds pattern in G at 16th notes. Happy with the brief time. Go to get gas and then pick up Bonnie for the URI show.

On the bill were
out of the blue
Phil n Crew/Bed Of Knives
Industrial Sonic Echo
Math The Band
POW!!!
Mahi Mahi

Paid with Bonnie, heard Out of the blue. Didn't stick around, just sorta wandered and talked with Bonnie. Phil n Crew was excellent, very tight, nice set length and set order. Industrial Sonic Echo intrigued me, almost like the second coming of The Residents, minus eyeball heads and instead white jumpsuits with homemade guitars and mesh bug helmets. Totally wrong venue for them though. Would have been better at AS220 or an art gallery. Audience filed in, some talking, but around halfway eventually settled out. Still some light conversation, but overall respectful for a scene like this. Talk to one kid afterwards what he felt of it. He couldn't really say, but respected them for doing something different. A fair cop. Math The Band, fun as always. Kinda wished I remembered to switch out of my Doc Martins and into sneakers for this one. Danced through the entire set. POW!! was way better than I expected. Very good grooves and musicianship, although the bass player's rig was acting up. Horrible farting sounds as if he blew his cab. Don't think this was the case, a bad cable perhaps? Didn't detract from the music though as I was wearing earplugs and didn't hear the bass a lot. Noticed a shitload of people jam packed into the coffeehouse for that one. Mahi Mahi then came on after. Great great show from them, a new song was played! Hooray! Now I'll get sick of this one in 2 years too... Excellent crowd, all dancing and having a good times, no douchebags. Although a couple did seem to smuggle in some Pabst Blue Ribbons and were drinking them throughout the evening. I can kinda see for Mahi, but I thought it was stupid. Although one incident with the man taking the mic during a break in the music during Mahi's set, they were well behaved. Danced and tried to get Bonnie more into it. She seemed to really really like it though, so at least I can drag her to more shows. Get home around 12 after dropping her off. Now bed.

Up and with (not much) gusto. Find a banana to eat on my way to school. Take disc one of "Left of The Dial" boxset. REM, The Cure, The Jam and Dead Kennedys wake me up on my way to school. More and more I'm noticing that I've had some startling mediocre teachers over the past year. My Spanish teacher being one of them. Her "My way or the highway" method has gotten old, to the point where she will not make a compromise. Not even educational, but just with dealing with students. It gets old very fast and it's clear she only puts students into black and white groupings (not literally, but you know what I mean). Watched the South Park "SHIT" episode in AP psych. Excellent way to start of my day. Proceeded after a while to English, where my monologue which I literally spent 10 minutes on "won" me a cupcake. While I think the teacher is nice, she really doesn't expect much from her students, but I don't understand how anyone can fail that class. Some people just honestly don't care about school work. I don't care about busy work. I'd like to think there's a difference. It's getting hard to find the difference between the two.
Last period put me in a snotty mood. The girls I sit in front of just will not be quiet, and must discuss every aspect of their social lives in the completely vapid tone of the socialite. I was not that happy was the day ended. Gave Bill a ride home, and Mission of Burma, X, Husker Du and Black Flag put a smile on my face on the way home. Very cathartic. Notice that a school bus's turn signal is right in time with Wall of Voodoo's "Back in Flesh". Home, time on the internet. Relax. Take the dog out. Release that my mp3 player was not plugged in for the last 2 days, so run back in and grab the CD player (kickin it ol' school) and bust out the Daydream Nation. Home, homework, then practice. Opposite of yesterday. Skill improvement section not very good, but improvisation/transcription/play along goes smoothly. Play along to The Who, Joy Division, Pink Floyd...
Have thought about taking a beginning Guitar Craft course. Rethinking, I'm not so sure, but I at least agree with some of their points. Hopefully I can talk to Martin or a Crafty and see if I can learn a stretch or sitting technique. Replaced the broken e on the 12, now to just get it in tune.

Up at 6:30 (EARLY FOR ONCE!) to chisel off the ice and snow that accumulated on my car since last night.
Go outside to warm it up and see it's raining. Well, so much for that. Still warm the car up and go inside to find myself eating a chocolate granola bar as I don't want to pour a bowl of cereal for myself. Brush my teeth and I'm off to school. Listen to Sweetthieves in the car. School has been, well, schooly again. Vice Principal sat in on Band, hope it's not because of complaints against Mr. H. He's a nice guy and a very good teacher.
Told Bill I was not able to do sound for the play as I made plans that might fall into place, and I just would not be able to do both at the same time.
Absolutely raining buckets outside, so no dog walk. Play guitar to Meccalily songs, busted an e string while playing the 12 string danelectro. Considering stringing up my SX beater in new standard tuning for a change. Waste time and energy on the internet (A lot of it) until I decided to kick my own ass and practice. Practice for about an hour today, with the transcription/improvisation part not going as well as I thought it would. I need more material to play along to. Exercises and technique improvements seem to be going well though. Still on the lookout for a head, no luck yet.
Mom comes home early, doesn't go to class as she already presented her project. Dad still out with co-worker Josh, who apparently is getting a divorce.
Wasted the rest of my day on the net. I need to start composing. This vacation will hopefully do me good.
Not really looking forward towards tomorrow, but tomorrow is thursday, which is one step closer to this week being over.
Dad just walked in through the door.

Also, I have the intense urge to play music with people. Have been half considering joining a cover band...

Woke up again at 6:30. Decided to hit the snooze button a good number of times. Backfired, of course, so I woke up out of my snooze filled trance at 10 to 7 again, repeating the steps as I always seem to do. Started up the car, drank some juice and shoved two granola bars into my pocket. Picked out "Souvlaki" by Slowdive for the ride. Some nice Brian Eno produced Shoegaze to start my day off with. Took the highway since I was late. Got me there on time but didn't get the coast road view. Oh well.
School has been, well, bland, but what else is new. I think for the past two days I've done probably an hour of actual real work. I guess that's just the way it's going this week. Asked Bill about doing sound in the play. It's not a musical so my usual position is not available (bass player). So looks like I'm outta luck for that. Shame. But it looks like I'm not going to do it, as other plans are being made.
Usual when I came home. Wasted time (and energy) on sweet sweet internet. Checked status of all my favorite websites, nothing to write home about. Walked Gromit, listened to World Inferno Friendship Society as I forgot to charge my mp3 player. Was cold, but fun. Honestly, the cold doesn't really bother me. I might say things for humor but I can take it, especially if I have a coat.
Back, homework for a period of time, then practice broken up by dinner. Practiced for around 40-45 minutes all together. Then more dicking around on the internet. Still looking for an ampeg head. Have a feeling that's going to be the theme for a little while.

Now Playing: Brian Eno-In Dark Trees

Woke up this morning, 10 minutes to 7. Didn't have time to eat breakfast nor did I want anything, so I slug back some juice and but some granola bars in my pocket for later. Grab "The Velvet Underground" (the third album) for the drive to school and back.
Got to school. Last night I noticed I didn't have my math notebook, and did an assignment approximating the right one. Don't know if I got any credit, really didn't even try. Typical day. Was bored out of my mind in the last class. Overall nondescript day.
Got home, did the usual. Dick around on the internet until I take my dog for a walk. Get a message back from Martin saying how the Guitar Circle does not allow photography or recording. This is fine. What interests me is the fact that the ensembles (plural, as this is part of the Guitar Craft that Robert Fripp runs) also adopt this rule, and they say it takes the audience members out of the show. It seems to me while this very understandable (I taped a show once, and it took me out of the experience completely to be honest), it seems as though this rule does more harm than good. Trying to get people to stop recording causes people who try to get the people recording to stop brings MORE people out of the show. Photography is understandable without explanation (flashes annoy the shit out of you when you need to concentrate). I think I would be more harsh towards Fripp and Co. if Fripp did not record and release his soundscape performances for purchase and download. I guess since I have seen no problem with taping shows (even if it's just people I know for archive purposes), and thus can't really see the other side of the fence even thought I see the and respect the argument against.
Took my dog out, listened to Wilco-Sky Blue Sky. Better than I remember, but not a winter album, more spring/summer. Came home, did homework. Practiced for about a half hour or so. Going to try and do it every day, part of the reason why this blog came back, so I can have "proof" if I practice every day or so. Hopefully I'll practice the right things and become a better player.
Also, ordered the cabinet today. Also talked to my dad who is getting a new Delta 1010 for free, as it's busted but he (might) know the problem with it. Something with busted capacitors in the power supply. Getting it for the cost of shipping, so hopefully this will allow the studio downstairs to gain more "clients" (read: Martin, Wayne, John, Me, and whatever cast of musicians drifts through our lives at this point).
Sat down to dinner a little while ago. Suddenly became nauseous and had to go downstairs. Have no idea what it was but a glass of water later I feel fine...

Thinking of turning in early tonight. In the meantime, Meccalily recordings and Ampeg Headhunting for me.

Epilogue

I decided to go with the avatar 212, and I'm going to search for a used ampeg head.

I still need to do some things before bed, but it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Also listening to a Post Modern John show I found from 3 years ago. I love listening to these shows, I don't know why.

That's it for tonight.

New Beginnings

It's a new year, although it's been almost a month and a half into it. I originally just started this account so I could comment on Adrian Belew's blog, but I guess the blogging bug got a hold of me again. Maybe we'll see what happens this time since I'm starting a new one.

So, right now I'm in the middle of a purchasing a new bass guitar amplification setup. My old amp sounds great, but is too big and bulky, not to mention underpowered, for transportation. I found some deals on craigslist, but ultimately I'm shooting for 300-400 watts at 4 ohms. I've looked at Ampeg, trying to replace my combo as it sounds amazing, but it's too out of my price range. I have also looked at Avatar speakers, which use Eminence PA speakers which have a nice frequency response to bass guitar, as they're recommend on the site. I was not very open to speakers I had never heard before, but I found someone selling one on craigslist. I made an appointment to come over to his house and try it out. I found I liked it even if the head was probably not what I was going to buy. It was a good approximation of my sound with my current amp, but getting home and plugging in my current amp revealed it was not as "Growly" or "bassy" as I wanted it to be. I have a feeling this was with the head and the fact it was a 2x10. My current amp is a 15 with a 8 for a tweeter. Very nice. I feel as so if I go with avatar I will probably purchase the 2x12 though to make up for the 15.
So this morning I receive a notice from the seller saying that the buzz we found in the Avatar 210 was infact a blown speaker. He says he's only gigged with it for about a year, using it for reggae gigs. But I guess this is now a question of reliability for the cab, but I think I'm going to have to ask this question of everything I buy.
The question with the head is do I ultimately try and strive as close as possible to the wattage? I did some research (read: Someone told me) that said when pairing a head with a cab, try to get it as close to the watt rating as possible, as heads when clipping will send out square waves which are bad for the speaker. I think If I get within 50 watts I should be fine. I've been looking at ampeg and GK heads, and hopefully I will sell my ovation soon so I have a little more money towards all this.
Hopefully I am happy with whatever choice I make, and I'm not throwing money into a pit.

On to something less esoteric, a trio of shows are coming up. Which is good news for me. Friday is the Project Venue show at URI, with Mahi Mahi, Bed Of Knives (Formally Phil N Crew), POW!!!! (Next Haven Members), MATH the band and a few others. Should be good, although the last time I saw MAHI at a project venue show I was entirely pissed off at people that thought it would be funny to try and sway the crowd. Maybe I just shouldn't get in the front anymore. I have seen then 14 times...

Saturday is the New England Guitar Craft with Your Move who are performing Closer To The Edge in it's entirety. Eh, not too crazy on that, but I have not seen the Craft in a long time, and I feel as though I need to support Martin in his musical en devours as they're usually always good. Although ironically I always end up disliking them, then giving them another listen, then ultimately liking them. Going to see if recording and/or photography is allowed, since this is the Craft...

Sunday is Neptune, White Mice, Lazy Magnet and The Glass Shivers. Hopefully The White Mice will not suck as much as they did last time at the Machines With Magnets show. It's Neptune's record release show, so hopefully I can go and score a copy of the album if I have enough money. The Glass shivers should be a good time, I've enjoyed their album.

Hopefully I can also find a job within the next month or so. Not having a job is kinda cool but not having money is not fun at all. :(