new photos…

I’ve been slowly …ever so slowly, getting out more and more with the camera.  That lens that I bought (75-300mm older Nikon) is great except it occasionally fails to communicate with my D40.  For example, the lens will be attached and I’ll have taken a bunch of shots, then out of the blue I get a “Lens not attached” reading.  I can release the lens then mount it again and things are fine …or I can also vary the zoom and get things back to normal ….but it still happens – and for an unknown reason.

I think it may be a mechanical problem with the lens itself – hopefully that’s it.  It’s almost like some mechanical arm or pin is losing contact – which makes me think it’s just dirty.  We’ll see how things go.  If it gets too bad then I’ll bring it in for a look-see.

Click to get to my Flickr page

Aside from the picture thing I’ve been contemplating my future musical commitments.  I think one of my own problems creatively (musically speaking) is that I’ve been too busy doing other crap …which zaps any desire I may have for hashing things out for myself.  I’ve started a bunch of stuff, but again, I get too drained to finish it off and just feel uninspired.  So yeah …I think I’ll be making changes in the Fall.

Which also happens to be the time when things finally settle down.

the Ambers …kinda

I got to do a little laid-back thing with Amber (from the Ambers) and one of her sisters Stephanie this weekend.  One of our local grocery stores is hosting live music at a few of its locations – they have an adjoining bar/eatery (why I’m not sure but I suppose it’s all the rage down south so what the heck) and it pays fine for something that’s somewhat low-keyed and intimate …or at least as intimate as you can get in a grocery store.  The Saturday gig is an afternoon thing too, which is nice cause it leaves the evening free.

Anyway it was a relaxing, quiet gig ….and getting to hear Amber and her sister together was great.  Family singers have that advantage I think, of blending and knowing each other so well.  It’s something that’s hard to beat – you can of course with lots of practice, but family combinations seem to get that head start.  The audience was appreciative as well.  They knew that what they heard (minus Amber’s beginner guitar stylings and my trying-to-follow bass skills) isn’t something you’d hear everyday.  Sure, you hear stuff …but you don’t hear two prominent instruments working together like this.  Two instruments that have played together since their youth …and I happen to think it rivals many other musical combinations.

Here’s a little snippet from one of our rehearsals.  It’s a country ditty from Dolly (off her Heartbreak Express album) titled ‘Do I Ever Cross Your Mind‘.  But yeah, the gig was fun …and I’d do it again if needed.  Of course the air-conditioning didn’t hurt either.

slurps, colds, mice and the 80’s

Today is close to 30 Cel. (85 F) and I realized why Slurpees are better sellers in Canada than elsewhere …we don’t consistently have hot days like this.  Hot days mean your Slurpee melts too fast …and you end up drinking liquid crap rather than a nice ice/juice mix.  If I lived in a hot climate and had to consume all my Slurps like this I know I’d grow to hate them.  The perfect Slurpee drinking temperature?  I’d say around 5-10 Cel.

I got a stupid cold last Sunday night as well.  It’s kinda on its way out (although it’s taking its sweet time) and I’ve had an ear plugged/blocked, nauseousness and a lingering headache.  Oddly, I can hear a ‘thumping’ sound at times that comes and goes depending on the position of my neck.  I hope that’s not a bad sign …and I hope slurpees can fix it.

We’ve also caught a mouse two days in a row in our basement.  Usually we’ll pick up 1 or 2 a year in the early Spring, maybe, but that’s it.  They live comfortably in my neighbors porch extension so I have her lazy cat to blame.  Anyway, we bait our traps with peanut butter, and it appears they’ve cleaned a few of the unsprung traps as well.  We’ll see how the rest of the week goes.  On the good side, I put out a fresh slice of bread, laid the mouse on top and made a mousey sandwich for the magpies.  Yeah I know …too kind.

Finally, I realized that my Aug. sub gig is actually in the first part of the month rather than the latter.  This is bad because it was just a few days ago that I had the opportunity to look at some of the titles – and it seems I’ve got 40 tunes to learn and only two rehearsals ….the first in a few days!  Anyway, I’ve been shedding kinda, but it seems the material isn’t all that demanding.  Maybe that’s a tribute to the songs? (nod your head and say yes) The hard part is trying to remember which bridge goes with which song etc.  I tend to commit everything to memory too, so hopefully my having lived the 80’s is gonna translate into things going easier than normal.  Hopefully.

Ballroom Blitz.
Roxy Roller.
Material Girl.
Tainted Love.
I Think We’re Alone Now….

Gag me with a spoon.

short skirt …green jacket

The sis asked me to pick up a skirt she ordered from the Mexx store over at the mall.  I got it (cause I’m just that great a brother) but I have to say I don’t get it.  The price that is.  $92 for a skimpy skirt made of 97% cotton and 3% elastane and made in China …that’s nuts.  Really.  I suppose it’s not so much nuts as it is fashion.  But fashion I’ve never got.  Ever.  It makes no sense to me.  I don’t dress like a slob (not always that is) and I try to be ‘hip’.  I sort of have to be somewhat in style …being on stage that is.

I’m also cheap.  Correct that, not cheap …but aware of the fact that I may need money for something other than an image …something more essential.  I actually get compliments about what I wear.  Yeah, I don’t get it either!  Anyway, most of my clothing comes from second hand stores …Goodwill or Value Village for ex.  VV kinda sucks cause everyone goes there, it’s typically over-priced and honestly there’s not much in quality on a regular basis …as far as I’ve found.  Goodwill is better, evenly priced (they don’t jack up the name-brand stuff like VV does), less busy and your chances of scoring something really nice is greater because they don’t have the ‘trendy’ staff that pours and picks over the good stuff when it comes in.  I don’t know that for a fact …but it wouldn’t surprise me.

The other neat thing about used clothes is you eventually find yourself recycling ….you bring in something(s) that you haven’t worn in a while as a donation, then you shop around for something ‘new’ to replace it.  New to you that is.  I’m a big t-shirt guy …and I’ll go through phases of wearing my favorites and then getting rid of most of them in exchange for a different set of favorites.  Something like that at least.

I do have new clothes, but they’re usually gifts (especially gift cards lately) or things that I really, really wanted to get when I happened to be out shopping with someone.  That’s the other thing about shopping for me, I don’t like shopping in ‘fashion’ stores by myself.  Second hand places …no problem.  I’ve also bought a few things online too …from ebay but also in support of websites I may visit – homestarrunner, fat-pie, audacity etc.

But spending almost $100 on a short skirt?!  I can’t remember the last time I spent more than $60 on anything …jackets included.  And so, to balance off the feeling of being ripped off (even though it’s not my money) I stopped by Goodwill on my way back, browsed around for a bit and picked up an almost new green army type jacket …if fits great, has almost no wear should be usable throughout most of the year.  And in fashion if I’m lucky!

I know …and I understand that fashion isn’t about being practical, most of the time, but clothes have never been that big a deal for me.  And even if you get that $200 plus item …I’m sure there’s only a few people who will actually be able to tell it apart from the same $20 find in a used store.  And luckily for me, I don’t think my new green jacket will even be on the fashion police radar.

Besides, it’s not a real green jacket ….that’d be cruel.

Looperman.com

Hey kids ….I deleted my profile over at Looperman.com.

It’s a ’six of one half dozen of another’ thing but the short of it is that the site, as another poster mentioned, is getting a bit too ‘clicky‘ for me.  I’ve followed many threads over my 2 plus years there and have seen different members come and go …and it appears I’ll be no different.

Usually it’s a case of the moderators keeping a watch on things, but for a while I feel it’s been certain moderators that have contributed to the problems …I don’t fault them for being who they are, but I do fault them for not separating their personal feelings from their responsibilities to other members, new members and to the site in general.  Other ones have remained silent …which is often worse than speaking up.

Anyway, I wish everyone on the site well.

I’ll of course continue to post different loops to my download page and possibly find another place to move my stuff to …eventually I suppose.  I still plan to separate all the individual sounds from each loop as well – perhaps offering a ‘pack’ of sorts as the Looperman admin has been procrastinating on. I’ve had some great support in the form of reviews too that, honestly, kept me working at things when I didn’t always want to …so thanks everyone, I’ll miss that I’m sure.  But doors open and close all the time, and I’m not too worried.

I just ordered their first-run t-shirt too …(lol) but I’m sure it’ll fit just right

Little House and the Dolly

Stupid Amber.

I’m learning a bunch of songs for her gig this coming weekend and most of them are either originals or classic country flavored things.  Anyway, Dolly Parton’s ‘Coat Of Many Colors’ is one – and I’m sitting here playing along with this Youtube video.  And crying.

Yep …that and Little House On The Prairie do it to me every time.

Fiestaval

I think I’m getting one of those cold thingys.  The shoulders, back and head hurt/ache and the nose appears to offer inklings of congestion.  The drive down and back to Calgary prob. didn’t help in matters – I felt like pulling over and sleeping the whole time.  I did get out along the roadside to take some pictures of stuff …and I’ll post them when I get around to the editing part.

The gig was fine.  It was for something called Fiestaval which is smack-dab in the middle of downtown Calgary.  Luckily it was pretty straight forward to get to and park …$5 and 3 hours later.  They had a variety of things throughout the day including dancers (hence the pic) and of course different bands.  We did our thing and everyone seemed happy enough.  So here’s to next year!?

I wasn’t able to see anyone but I did pull a surprise visit on the Aunt.  She and my cousin were having a garage sale at the time …and I of course told them I came all the way down just for that.  I did buy a little Simpson’s mobile that Kristen was selling …2 bucks – what a steal

Now I’m feeling dizzy.  I did eat (not enough probably) but I think I’ll do the snack, shower and sleep thing right away.  Baritones call in the morning.  Oh yeah, and a reh. in the afternoon.  Ahhh, my ever-diminishing summer.

Dancing dancers.

WTM @ BD

The WTM gig was fun.  I knew it was going to be kinda loud …I had my plugs in for most of the first set but took them out for the last few songs – it wasn’t really loud …but loud enough.  Anyway, I think I was a little bass heavy as well – I had brought my external cab. and on that smallish stage it was a little over-kill.  I had it turned down though, but it was still there.  Whatever, it was fine.

The crowd was nice too.  Not nice as in they were there, but nice in that they actually listened for the most part …and for more than one or two songs.  Pat was on with the banter as well.  Lol, I’m not sure if it was planned in some way but his cell-phone went off just before our second tune – and he answered it on the mic.  He explained that he was busy, in the middle of a show and encouraged the caller (Gary I think) to come down for a bit.  It was funny …and lasted for a few minutes.  Nice though.  Clever

He also mentioned something at our last rehearsal that I thought was important and haven’t had to consider for quite a while …that he didn’t see any point in doing shows at clubs where our pay was dependent on the crowd we brought in.  You see, we don’t have a crowd …a following if you will.  We don’t promote ourselves first of all, and aside from a few of our close family/friends we really have no idea as to who’s going to show – it’s kinda hit and miss.  But they do show it seems – and the songs are good enough to make them notice, and at least stick around for a while.  If they didn’t notice, then we’d be playing to the same empty rooms across the city.

That’s the part I need to remember.

Mr. Pat Strain ...if you call he'll answer!

comfy AND normal

I’m in blog neglect again kids.  The summer has been flying and I’ve still to find that ‘me’ time I need.  Complaining is now done.

The America Rosa’s did the Taste of Edmonton tonight.  It was fine …a little wanky for reasons that will always remain, but generally it was good, and the crowd seemed happy enough which makes it all worth while …if you’re a crowd that is

Sergio @ Taste of Edmonton

The Mints are at the Black Dog again tomorrow (today) afternoon from 4 till 6.  It’s always a fun gig, but I am going to remember to wear my plugs this time out.  My drummer hasn’t played for a while and I’m betting he’s gonna cut loose a little (he’ll read this too and probably agree!) …and Rusty (our guitar guy) always likes things loud.  Maybe not loud ..biting might be a better description.  In his defense though, he sort of needs the volume to get the tone he has, and his tone is great so I’ll grant him the leeway …and just bring my plugs.

Then it’s off to Calgary again for a festival of the latin persuasion on Sunday.  I may try to visit a few friends in town this time around, so we’ll see how it goes.  I should stop and see Aunty J. too.  She must of remembered me mentioning something about needing a plant hanger for one of my viney plant friends, so she left one by her door step last time around for me to pick up.  So yeah, hopefully this time I’ll catch her at home.

While posting at the looperman site lately I stumbled upon a non-music related thread.  That happens of course, but it seems to happen more and more the more often I go.  The site recently had a ‘weeding’ out of some hip-hop elements (of which I too was slightly uprooted) and has over the past year or so shifted from something that was primarily loops to something that is now loops and tracks (songs).  It’s a move that I don’t personally care for, but for the most part I’ve accepted.  Anyway, there’s also a religious element that raises its head at times …which for a music site is kinda weird.  One of the forum topics grabbed me the wrong way I think, so I wrote up a little sarcastic, counter-strike of sorts that I’m thinking of posting.  I probably shouldn’t bother.  If I was smart I’d let it be …but I’m in one of those moods.  We’ll see.

It’s also a little warm lately.  I like it though.  The problem is the roomie doesn’t tolerate the heat so well.  He doesn’t tolerate the cold either come to think of it, but again, maybe it’s me.  I like freezing when I go to bed in the winter …warming up of course as the night goes on, and I equally like laying in bed with a fan pointed at me the whole night during a heat wave.  I kinda flow with the extremes I guess.  The roomie seems more temperate however, and needs everything to be that comfy, normal human temperature.

I hate comfy, normal human temperatures.

new poem

the tip shies away from the paper
as the heart shies away from the eyes,
the words shy away from the sentence
as the soul from the prospect of lies,
yet the sun can’t choose to play favorites,
nor a shadow to choose any flame -
so if you by chance choose to mind me,
understand that my choice is the same.