One thought for the day...
Can anyone rock better or more consistently than Billy F. Gibbons?
Answer: A resounding NO!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
quick question
Yes, I know that I've been really bad about posting to the blog lately. Hopefully I'll be better in the coming weeks.
One thought for the day...
Can anyone rock better or more consistently than Billy F. Gibbons?
Answer: A resounding NO!
One thought for the day...
Can anyone rock better or more consistently than Billy F. Gibbons?
Answer: A resounding NO!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
On the return of Phish...
As referenced in my post on Wednesday, Phish is reuniting this March: nearly 5 years after the 'breakup', 11 years after my first show, and over 25 years since the band's first performance.
I have to admit that after the breakup, I took a bit of a break from Phish myself. Some shows, particularly high points of ones I attended and lots of the final weekend were actually tough to listen too. Ok, so the Coventry "Velvet Sea" still gets me.
After "broadening out" my musical tastes over the couple years, I've come back to Phish more and more over the last several months and rediscovering just how amazing the interplay is between these 4 guys is. I've enjoyed their solo projects a lot, but there's a certain something that only seems to happy when the 4 are together.
Danielle and I have always said, after sitting in traffic and not getting into Coventry, that we would do whatever we had to to be at the first show when the band got back together. Therefore, we're currently in the lottery for Hampton, VA tickets in March, and if we miss out there we'll go nuts on the phone & internet on the general on-sale date!
For the uninitiated, some of my phavorites that I was able to find on youtube
Punch You In The Eye (part of the Gamehenge saga)
Possum
Waste (this is actually the encore from my first show!)
You Enjoy Myself (part I -- part II
I have to admit that after the breakup, I took a bit of a break from Phish myself. Some shows, particularly high points of ones I attended and lots of the final weekend were actually tough to listen too. Ok, so the Coventry "Velvet Sea" still gets me.
After "broadening out" my musical tastes over the couple years, I've come back to Phish more and more over the last several months and rediscovering just how amazing the interplay is between these 4 guys is. I've enjoyed their solo projects a lot, but there's a certain something that only seems to happy when the 4 are together.
Danielle and I have always said, after sitting in traffic and not getting into Coventry, that we would do whatever we had to to be at the first show when the band got back together. Therefore, we're currently in the lottery for Hampton, VA tickets in March, and if we miss out there we'll go nuts on the phone & internet on the general on-sale date!
For the uninitiated, some of my phavorites that I was able to find on youtube
Punch You In The Eye (part of the Gamehenge saga)
Possum
Waste (this is actually the encore from my first show!)
You Enjoy Myself (part I -- part II
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The "new" Kerby Lane Cafe
Next week will mark 3 years since Danielle & I moved to Austin, so I am in no way authorized to pine for "the good old days", but I can say that I'm really bummed about the "new" Kerby Lane Cafe location in North Austin.
The thing I've loved about Kerby Lane is the food, but the atmosphere is also great; relaxed, easy-going, really just feeling lived in. Two weeks ago the location on 183 moved north a couple of exits and to the other side of the highway, out of the old house-style building and into a big plaza location. I've been to the new location twice since opening, and while the food has remained the same (great!), the vibe is just different. While before the space felt like walking into someone's home: a little rough around the edges, picked up enough for company, but you could still tell they'd been there for years; the new location feels too slick and polished. Everything is fresh and new, a big tv in the waiting area, host & wait staff (while still the same personnel) being dressed a little nicer than normal, and new art on the freshly painted walls.
Don't get me wrong, the migas and french toast were still GREAT. But, I was actually somewhat contented this morning when I realized by plate had a chip taken out of the bottom of it. Hopefully the new, bigger location will alleviate some of the wait times, and that after it's open a few months it will start to acquire that good old Kerby Lane feel.
The thing I've loved about Kerby Lane is the food, but the atmosphere is also great; relaxed, easy-going, really just feeling lived in. Two weeks ago the location on 183 moved north a couple of exits and to the other side of the highway, out of the old house-style building and into a big plaza location. I've been to the new location twice since opening, and while the food has remained the same (great!), the vibe is just different. While before the space felt like walking into someone's home: a little rough around the edges, picked up enough for company, but you could still tell they'd been there for years; the new location feels too slick and polished. Everything is fresh and new, a big tv in the waiting area, host & wait staff (while still the same personnel) being dressed a little nicer than normal, and new art on the freshly painted walls.
Don't get me wrong, the migas and french toast were still GREAT. But, I was actually somewhat contented this morning when I realized by plate had a chip taken out of the bottom of it. Hopefully the new, bigger location will alleviate some of the wait times, and that after it's open a few months it will start to acquire that good old Kerby Lane feel.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Meat or no meat...that is the question...
Since the end of the spring semester, I have been trying to work out more and eat better. The goal is to improve my general health, and train for the Zilker Trail of Lights 5K in December. This has been moderately successful, as I have lost some weight, but my running has left a lot to be desired. With some new running shoes a few weeks ago, I'm hoping to step up my running to be able to do the 5K by December.
On the eating side, I've been thinking lately and realized how often I haven't felt well after eating (usually a lot) of meat as of late. Therefore, in order to help kick our healthy eating up a notch, Danielle and I have gone (mostly) vegetarian over the last couple of weeks. I'm by no means being hardcore about it, the chicken pot-pie at COM Group Tuesday was great! However, in general I've been amazed at how much better I've felt after eating, and how my Rolaids consumption has gone down.
I'm trying to make running a part of my normal routine, which hasn't (so far) been a great success, but is moving in the right direction. As for the -mostly- vegetarian food, we're thinking we'll try it out until the Mier's wedding in November and see where it goes from there.
On the eating side, I've been thinking lately and realized how often I haven't felt well after eating (usually a lot) of meat as of late. Therefore, in order to help kick our healthy eating up a notch, Danielle and I have gone (mostly) vegetarian over the last couple of weeks. I'm by no means being hardcore about it, the chicken pot-pie at COM Group Tuesday was great! However, in general I've been amazed at how much better I've felt after eating, and how my Rolaids consumption has gone down.
I'm trying to make running a part of my normal routine, which hasn't (so far) been a great success, but is moving in the right direction. As for the -mostly- vegetarian food, we're thinking we'll try it out until the Mier's wedding in November and see where it goes from there.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
What I Learned This Week
So after a week of time in the studio with the JCB, getting back to class, spending too much time reading blogs, and church this morning...I have learned the following:
- Coffee is my friend.
- Don't ever trust cables from Guitar Center to work, even the first day.
- Fantasy Football has increased my interest in the NFL, to marginal.
- Always check the wiring before putting speakers back together, live or in the studio (had to do this twice before I learned)
- Museums have really inconvenient hours. M-F 10a-4p...really?
- I never remember to check the room number for my classes until 10 minutes before the first meeting.
- I'm breaking more strings than usual, not sure if I should start using thinner picks.
- Coffee is still my friend, and so is Jesus
- And as of 2 minutes ago... waiting to order dinner, for deliver, until 8:45 is a bad idea.
Hopefully I have a week at least as enlightening next week. We shall see.
- Coffee is my friend.
- Don't ever trust cables from Guitar Center to work, even the first day.
- Fantasy Football has increased my interest in the NFL, to marginal.
- Always check the wiring before putting speakers back together, live or in the studio (had to do this twice before I learned)
- Museums have really inconvenient hours. M-F 10a-4p...really?
- I never remember to check the room number for my classes until 10 minutes before the first meeting.
- I'm breaking more strings than usual, not sure if I should start using thinner picks.
- Coffee is still my friend, and so is Jesus
- And as of 2 minutes ago... waiting to order dinner, for deliver, until 8:45 is a bad idea.
Hopefully I have a week at least as enlightening next week. We shall see.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
moving closer to the next step...
this wednesday begins my next to last semester of graduate school, which is scheduled for culmination in may 2009. this time next year i will (hopefully) have a full-time job as an archivist. grad school and a "real" job in the field i intend to to be my long-term career have been something that's been off in the horizon for several years now.
therefore, i'm both nervous and excited. i spent 5 1/2 years working various jobs between college and grad school, always seeing it as something...out there. now graduation and moving to the next stage seems imminent: a house, kids, building a long-term career, etc; and i can't wait.
now if my professors would just post the syllabi so i could know what i'm up against this semester...
therefore, i'm both nervous and excited. i spent 5 1/2 years working various jobs between college and grad school, always seeing it as something...out there. now graduation and moving to the next stage seems imminent: a house, kids, building a long-term career, etc; and i can't wait.
now if my professors would just post the syllabi so i could know what i'm up against this semester...
Monday, June 23, 2008
Giving...
I had a brief conversation with a friend yesterday. At his church on Sunday, "a young boy running down the aisle toward the row where the offering plate was being passed. He had this expression of total excitement on his face, a smile that went from ear to ear, and pure joy in giving his tithe."
Why does it seem that we don't have the same attitude toward giving to the mission of God (church, missionaries, etc)? As "grown-ups" why do we so often look at giving as being beaten up by "dutiful submission" instead of as a supreme joy of giving to God's work, something so much bigger than ourselves?
Why does it seem that we don't have the same attitude toward giving to the mission of God (church, missionaries, etc)? As "grown-ups" why do we so often look at giving as being beaten up by "dutiful submission" instead of as a supreme joy of giving to God's work, something so much bigger than ourselves?
George Carlin, Dead at 71
While certainly no saint, George was against pretty much any establishment there is, spoke out against injustice, wanted government out of people's lives to be able to live like you want and be left alone.
I didn't agree with all of his politics or social views, but on the whole, I agree with him more than nearly any politician/public figure.
Insane, but brilliant.
I didn't agree with all of his politics or social views, but on the whole, I agree with him more than nearly any politician/public figure.
Insane, but brilliant.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Our 2nd "Crash-a-versary"
So for most people today is just Cinco de Mayo, but for Danielle & I it's our 2nd "crash-a-versary".
We had just crossed into Memphis, TN on our way to her Grandparent's 50th Anniversary party (in Nashville) when we came up on rush hour traffic. The Class A motor home behind us hadn't noticed the impending traffic and wound up going more or less over top of us (me driving, Danielle in passenger seat), and sent us pinging into the guardrails and other cars on the highway.
It's amazing to look at the photos and see how incredibly "smushed" the car was. We were reported as dead on the evening news, and the hospital staff said "wait, you were in the red car, we weren't expecting anyone from that car" when we arrived. However, we walked away, Danielle with massive bruising throughout her torso, and me with 2 broken ribs and a good cut on my arm after only 12 hours in the hospital. Unfortunately, my first Taylor 110 wasn't so lucky, as it wound up being the thickness of a Telecaster in the back seat. Thankfully, Danielle's cousin decided to fly at the last minute, or else he would have been in that seat.
However, we're amazingly blessed to have been able to walk away (even if with lots of painkillers) and not have any long-term effects.
Front driver side
Front of car
Back of car - that's the rear bumper laid across the top
Rear - at least my Birkenstock's were saved
The back seat & Taylor 110
Taylor 110
We had just crossed into Memphis, TN on our way to her Grandparent's 50th Anniversary party (in Nashville) when we came up on rush hour traffic. The Class A motor home behind us hadn't noticed the impending traffic and wound up going more or less over top of us (me driving, Danielle in passenger seat), and sent us pinging into the guardrails and other cars on the highway.
It's amazing to look at the photos and see how incredibly "smushed" the car was. We were reported as dead on the evening news, and the hospital staff said "wait, you were in the red car, we weren't expecting anyone from that car" when we arrived. However, we walked away, Danielle with massive bruising throughout her torso, and me with 2 broken ribs and a good cut on my arm after only 12 hours in the hospital. Unfortunately, my first Taylor 110 wasn't so lucky, as it wound up being the thickness of a Telecaster in the back seat. Thankfully, Danielle's cousin decided to fly at the last minute, or else he would have been in that seat.
However, we're amazingly blessed to have been able to walk away (even if with lots of painkillers) and not have any long-term effects.
Front driver side
Front of car
Back of car - that's the rear bumper laid across the top
Rear - at least my Birkenstock's were saved
The back seat & Taylor 110
Taylor 110
Friday, May 2, 2008
New Pedalboard
my new board. i'd really considered a Pedaltrain board/case (about $160) but wound up going with a $7 Goodwill suitcase, $4 piece of 1/2" plywood from Home Depot, and paint/velcro that I had in the utility room.
Signal Chain:
72' Tele Custom RI/Yamaha Strat/Taylor 110 > DT-10 > EB Volume > Analogman TS-9/Silver > Analogman SD-1/808 > Sparkle Drive (for clean boost only) > SCH-Z > True Bypass Loop for E-1010 (and then E-1010) > DD-5 > Nau Engineering Tremolo > Headrush E2 > A/B/Y
A > Amp (Electric)
B > DI (Acoustic)
This thing's heavy, but I'm finally able to get everything I really want on my board!
After a quick lunch, I'm playing for the rest of the afternoon!
Signal Chain:
72' Tele Custom RI/Yamaha Strat/Taylor 110 > DT-10 > EB Volume > Analogman TS-9/Silver > Analogman SD-1/808 > Sparkle Drive (for clean boost only) > SCH-Z > True Bypass Loop for E-1010 (and then E-1010) > DD-5 > Nau Engineering Tremolo > Headrush E2 > A/B/Y
A > Amp (Electric)
B > DI (Acoustic)
This thing's heavy, but I'm finally able to get everything I really want on my board!
After a quick lunch, I'm playing for the rest of the afternoon!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
I need to find a turntable
After finding a copy of ZZ Top's Fandango on ebay for Josh, I also picked up a few John Denver records. I'm now being hit with need for a turntable, and the urge to go scour Cheapo on Lamar
I can't wait to return to the world of analog!
I can't wait to return to the world of analog!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Great election entertainment
I found the following link through a political blog covering the primaries. Basically a Street Fighter type game with all the presidential candidates. Hilarious and a great time waster!
HERE
HERE
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Christmas in Ohio
There's nothing like spending 6 days on vacation in Ohio, especially at Danielle's parent's house. They live pretty well "out in the country" in the middle of 12 acres of farmland (which is worked by the neighbor from whom they bought the land and still works his 40 acres at over 70 years old).
It was a great time to hang out and relax. I think it's the first time in 2 or 3 years that I've gone an entire week without checking e-mail, nevermind things like facebook, myspace, guitar forums, etc.
I'm really looking forward to getting back to a more 'regular' life, and doing school full time this semester!
It was a great time to hang out and relax. I think it's the first time in 2 or 3 years that I've gone an entire week without checking e-mail, nevermind things like facebook, myspace, guitar forums, etc.
I'm really looking forward to getting back to a more 'regular' life, and doing school full time this semester!
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