I needed a breather. Buying, moving everything, then getting settled into the new house took a lot out of me. On top of that, my life's been changing in other ways since I turned thirty in May, and I've had a lot to think about.
I went and saw my uncle in Florida two weekends ago. He lives in a retirement community surrounded by golf courses, and I played almost as much golf in three days as I had in my entire life. It was good practice, but when I played again with a coworker yesterday, it was clear that old habits die hard. I need to start going to the driving range.
My right wrist started aching shortly after I got home from Florida, and I chalked it up to all the golf I played, but I'm pretty sure I've got some of that carpal tunnel syndrome that probably doesn't help. I've been playing video games since I was a little kid with an Atari 2600, and last spring I noticed for the first time I was having trouble holding the controller when I was playing my cousin's X-Box because my thumbs were aching. Not a good sign.
The Roky Erickson project is finally seeing a little movement. The Staple! producer left town and gifted me a couple hundred copies of the dvd that I've been letting out as a calling card and conversation starter.
I've been dating a slightly older woman for about a month now. She seems to share some of my sensibilities, while being polar opposite in others. Maybe that's a good mix. Meanwhile, I've been trying to get my head straight over some other relationships in my life, with some success. I'm not much for handwringing anymore, and I've begun using "high school" as an epithet for a way of behavior I used to suffer from, but managed to get over by the time I graduated college.
Other than that, all is well. The Simpsons season 8 just came out on dvd and is probably my favorite of the series. Today is a holiday, the second Monday I've had off in a row. I bought a bunch of new audio equipment and a tripod to supplement my video offerings for rental and production capability. I have to start seriously committing some time to studying for a certification test for work, since my free time there has disappeared of late as I've taken on a new duty that should prove valuable to the firm and my bottom line.
Drop me an email or a comment if I haven't talked to you lately.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Home sweet home
We closed on a house yesterday in south Austin, so I am now officially a first-time homeowner. It's pretty exciting, and also a little daunting. I need to get the power turned back on, but things are shaping up pretty nicely.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Royal welcome
I bought a cd of Prince's greatest hits on my birthday last month, since I knew he was a phenomenal guitarist by reputation and I knew so many of his songs, which have gotten a lot more radio play in recent years. I don't know if that's because all his lawsuits were finally finished, but there was a time when I never heard him on the radio a few years ago.
I remembered liking "When Doves Cry" when I was a kid, and of course he did the soundtrack to Batman, which was interesting, and then there was the New Power Generation. His videos with them are the first that come to mind for me, probably because his '80's videos (the only one I actually remember clearly was for "When Doves Cry") were a little dated by my teenage years.
One of the few music videos my mother ever told me she didn't want me watching was "Gett Off", and of course that made it all the more memorable. By that point, Prince had taken his raunchy style to its logical conclusion, just in time to re-embrace Jesus and disappear for a while. I didn't remember just how strange and wonderful that song was until I heard it on this cd, but what struck me the most was how it was pretty much of a piece with the rest of his work, rather than an anomaly.
I can't think of any other pop artist of the time who was so willing to twist and distort his voice for bizarre effect at the top of his career. Just listen to that screech he lets out to begin "Gett Off", followed by some kind of wimpering moan that seems to go on and on. Or the way he uses a computer-like voice filter to drone on at the beginning of "When Doves Cry". Or his strangled scream at the climax of "Little Red Corvette" that follows a vocal run up and down the registers.
That got me to thinking, maybe Prince wasn't so popular in spite of such touches, but because of them. In fact, at least on the pop charts, we have nowhere near the eclecticism of the '80's, and to a lesser extent the '90's before the death of grunge. "American Idol" and the like push a kind of studied perfectionism on the world of pop music that, together with modern digital correction, results in a bland, perfect sound on every song.
Lest I sound too old-fogey-like, I must admit I've liked Kelly Clarkson's new album a lot, despite the fact that it suffers from the above, as well as being way over-played. At least she knows how to pick a good song. It's just too bad there isn't room at the top anymore for the artists really willing to be idiosyncratic and weird in the pursuit of their fame and fortune. Like System of a Down, they have a hit here and there, but they don't get to rule the airwaves like they used to.
I remembered liking "When Doves Cry" when I was a kid, and of course he did the soundtrack to Batman, which was interesting, and then there was the New Power Generation. His videos with them are the first that come to mind for me, probably because his '80's videos (the only one I actually remember clearly was for "When Doves Cry") were a little dated by my teenage years.
One of the few music videos my mother ever told me she didn't want me watching was "Gett Off", and of course that made it all the more memorable. By that point, Prince had taken his raunchy style to its logical conclusion, just in time to re-embrace Jesus and disappear for a while. I didn't remember just how strange and wonderful that song was until I heard it on this cd, but what struck me the most was how it was pretty much of a piece with the rest of his work, rather than an anomaly.
I can't think of any other pop artist of the time who was so willing to twist and distort his voice for bizarre effect at the top of his career. Just listen to that screech he lets out to begin "Gett Off", followed by some kind of wimpering moan that seems to go on and on. Or the way he uses a computer-like voice filter to drone on at the beginning of "When Doves Cry". Or his strangled scream at the climax of "Little Red Corvette" that follows a vocal run up and down the registers.
That got me to thinking, maybe Prince wasn't so popular in spite of such touches, but because of them. In fact, at least on the pop charts, we have nowhere near the eclecticism of the '80's, and to a lesser extent the '90's before the death of grunge. "American Idol" and the like push a kind of studied perfectionism on the world of pop music that, together with modern digital correction, results in a bland, perfect sound on every song.
Lest I sound too old-fogey-like, I must admit I've liked Kelly Clarkson's new album a lot, despite the fact that it suffers from the above, as well as being way over-played. At least she knows how to pick a good song. It's just too bad there isn't room at the top anymore for the artists really willing to be idiosyncratic and weird in the pursuit of their fame and fortune. Like System of a Down, they have a hit here and there, but they don't get to rule the airwaves like they used to.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Running man
I started a running program on Monday with Runtex, an athletic store chain down here that's pretty popular. One of my coworkers bet me $80, the cost of one month's program, that I couldn't take the class and then finish a 5k run afterward. I think he was just trying to motivate me to get in better shape, and maybe wanted a partner to do the class with since he joined too. I've never been much of a runner, but it will probably do me good, especially since it's difficult for me to work out with weights. Ever since my shoulder injury a few years back, I have to be careful and can't really push myself like I used to.
Speaking of which, we got massages at work yesterday for the first time in months. This guy seems pretty capable and knowledgeable, and even thinks he can help with the shoulder thing. I hope so, as nothing would make me happier.
Speaking of which, we got massages at work yesterday for the first time in months. This guy seems pretty capable and knowledgeable, and even thinks he can help with the shoulder thing. I hope so, as nothing would make me happier.
Time will tell
It's funny how technology can destroy and create trends. Like fashion, sometimes it can even bring them back from the dead. Consider the pocketwatch.
A small device carried in the pocket used to tell time.
Sounds like a cell phone to me. I know maybe one or two people that still wear wrist watches, but nearly everyone I know has a cell phone. Ask them for the time, and that's where they'd check. Don't count on seeing the little chains anytime soon, though.
A small device carried in the pocket used to tell time.
Sounds like a cell phone to me. I know maybe one or two people that still wear wrist watches, but nearly everyone I know has a cell phone. Ask them for the time, and that's where they'd check. Don't count on seeing the little chains anytime soon, though.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Party time, excellent
The party/birthday party went well last Saturday. We had a good number of people show up, so the duplex was full but not crowded for the afternoon. I got cool gifts, mostly involving alcohol, which I will use eventually, although I stuck to beer for the party. Phil, Lyndon, and I jammed on the back porch for a bit, including "Laid" by James, which pretty much rocked.
I was thinking starting the party at 1pm might result in the party being over by the time evening came, but we ended up with a small group sticking around all night. I turned in aroud 1:30am, and I was the first one out. Good times were had by all.
As I write, my parents, my younger sister, and her husband are driving down from Indiana to visit for the week. Tomorrow, my cousin Jim will be here too. I'm looking forward to spending some time with them.
We've basically settled on two houses to put bids on. South Austin, here I come.
I was thinking starting the party at 1pm might result in the party being over by the time evening came, but we ended up with a small group sticking around all night. I turned in aroud 1:30am, and I was the first one out. Good times were had by all.
As I write, my parents, my younger sister, and her husband are driving down from Indiana to visit for the week. Tomorrow, my cousin Jim will be here too. I'm looking forward to spending some time with them.
We've basically settled on two houses to put bids on. South Austin, here I come.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Turning pages
My birthday's coming up soon, and we're having a party May 20th to celebrate. We're going to have it here at the place, like we did with Phil's back in October. I'm not promising I'll wear the Viking helmet or the T-shirt, but they'll be here just in case.
Phil seems to enjoy his new job, even as he's learning by experience rather than training. Jumping in the deep end, if you know what I mean. I'm taking on new stuff at work, which has made it a bit more hectic, but I can handle it. I sought out the new activity after all, since I hate being bored at work.
We're a step closer to getting into a house today than we were yesterday. It's getting kind of exciting. We won't be moving until June at the earliest, but I'm already thinking about boxes.
Phil seems to enjoy his new job, even as he's learning by experience rather than training. Jumping in the deep end, if you know what I mean. I'm taking on new stuff at work, which has made it a bit more hectic, but I can handle it. I sought out the new activity after all, since I hate being bored at work.
We're a step closer to getting into a house today than we were yesterday. It's getting kind of exciting. We won't be moving until June at the earliest, but I'm already thinking about boxes.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Walking out
I did something I'm not proud of tonight, and I don't know if I've ever actually done it before. I went to see Silent Hill, and I walked out a little more than a half hour into it.
Now, I love movies, and I've seen my share of horror movies at this point, although I didn't come to the genre until I was in college. It just didn't interst me as a teenager for whatever reason. But this movie turned me off in a big way, and it just wasn't worth my time to ride it out.
The thing is, I paid $8.25 for this turd, and I didn't want to go home without seeing something, so I ducked into Scary Movie 4. For about ten minutes. That one wasn't any good either, plus I felt a little guilty, even though I bought a Coke slurpee for almost $5.00 after I used the restroom. Maybe I should have asked for my money back, but I didn't feel like it.
I sincerely hope this never happens again, but jeez. Everybody says how faithful to the game it is, which makes me wonder if I'd like the game at all.
Now, I love movies, and I've seen my share of horror movies at this point, although I didn't come to the genre until I was in college. It just didn't interst me as a teenager for whatever reason. But this movie turned me off in a big way, and it just wasn't worth my time to ride it out.
The thing is, I paid $8.25 for this turd, and I didn't want to go home without seeing something, so I ducked into Scary Movie 4. For about ten minutes. That one wasn't any good either, plus I felt a little guilty, even though I bought a Coke slurpee for almost $5.00 after I used the restroom. Maybe I should have asked for my money back, but I didn't feel like it.
I sincerely hope this never happens again, but jeez. Everybody says how faithful to the game it is, which makes me wonder if I'd like the game at all.
Man about town
I spent about an hour at Eeyore's birthday party on Saturday. It was interesting. When I first got near it, I thought it was a little like ACL, but after about ten seconds I realized how different it was. It was also a little like that Mardi Gras party I went to, Carnaval. There were lots of hippies and at least four drum circles, none of which stopped while I was there. It was a different kind of crowd than you see just about anywhere, at least in my experience.
Meanwhile, I had to replace my new computer chair, since one of the thin plastic arms that held it together broke in two places. I didn't realize this when I bought it, but like several others at Fry's the chair that broke was designed such that the arms were the load-bearing support between the back and the seat, which is not a smart design when you're using cheap plastic for the arms. Needless to say, when I turned it in for a replacement, I picked one that had a metal plate connecting the back and seat with a bunch of screws.
My roommate's got a new job, while continuing to work on his final Master's report. There's a bus that runs from right across the street from our place to right next to where he works, so he hasn't been driving his car much lately, or riding his bike, the preferred method of travel. I haven't ridden my bike since last spring, I think. Too bad, but riding a mountain bike on the road is harder than I remembered.
I watched the entire British TV series The Office over the weekend. It was quite good, if squirm-inducing at times. They pulled one of the more perfect endings I've seen to a sitcom, as well. I don't watch the American version, since I don't watch TV much at all anymore, but I did write a short spoof that incorporated elements of office culture, which I'll probably revise and try to shoot this year.
Meanwhile, I had to replace my new computer chair, since one of the thin plastic arms that held it together broke in two places. I didn't realize this when I bought it, but like several others at Fry's the chair that broke was designed such that the arms were the load-bearing support between the back and the seat, which is not a smart design when you're using cheap plastic for the arms. Needless to say, when I turned it in for a replacement, I picked one that had a metal plate connecting the back and seat with a bunch of screws.
My roommate's got a new job, while continuing to work on his final Master's report. There's a bus that runs from right across the street from our place to right next to where he works, so he hasn't been driving his car much lately, or riding his bike, the preferred method of travel. I haven't ridden my bike since last spring, I think. Too bad, but riding a mountain bike on the road is harder than I remembered.
I watched the entire British TV series The Office over the weekend. It was quite good, if squirm-inducing at times. They pulled one of the more perfect endings I've seen to a sitcom, as well. I don't watch the American version, since I don't watch TV much at all anymore, but I did write a short spoof that incorporated elements of office culture, which I'll probably revise and try to shoot this year.
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