Most of my students, I have found out, are pessimists. They have no hope for the future of humanity. As I have, over the last few years, became a much more optimistic person, this makes me more than a little sad. I wish they'd just have a little more faith.
However, sometimes that faith gets tested.
I was walking to one of my classes the other day, and some complete stranger flagged me down. "Excuse me, sir," he asked. "do you believe in the moon landing?"
This took me by surprise. Out of all the questions I expected, Of course, I panicked and went into smart ass mood. "Yes, I do...because I've been there," I replied, before getting the hell out of there..
Do I still have my faith in humanity? I dunno. However, I am now wondering if my university needs to rethink its entrance standards.
Saturday, February 29, 2020
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
change and growth.
When I was 14 (or maybe 15; I really can't remember), I saved up money to buy my first guitar. This was hard as I didn't have a job, so I just took the money my parents gave me for school lunch and hid it away (sorry, mom). That first guitar was a Chicago-branded Les Paul clone. It wasn't really what you could call a great guitar. After a few months, the pickups started to fall out, and my brother had to screw them back in with wood screws. Still, I wish I still owned it, but, after I upgraded, my parents made me sell it (out of revenge for using my lunch money, maybe). I thought about looking for one online, but I can't find records of any of them existing.
I practiced a lot and basically learned how to play off of AC/DC and Black Sabbath records. I really wanted to play in a band, but bands kept eluding me. Jacksonville FL had way too many guitar players, and I never got in a situation that survived to getting a show. I was also working a whole lot (a probably illegal 35 hours a week while in school), and I'd often drop the guitar for months on end...and that certainly didn't help me on the band front.
Still, I kept trying right up until I got accepted into doctoral school. I dedicated myself entirely to my studies. Strangely enough, though, this is when my guitar playing started to really improve. In spite of my improvement, I always thought that playing out would just elude me forever. Then one weekend I went to the bar, and when I came out, I was in a band. We practiced, learned enough songs, and then we actually got a gig. At the age of 39, I played my first show.
The first band lasted a couple of years. After they broke up, I joined another band. I got band number three a few years later, and then band two broke up. I started playing in band four (an alt country outfit) about the same time I started doing solo shows. Band three broke up. I got my own band, which then broke up, new lineup, broke up, new lineup, and repeat a few times. Alt country band broke up, but I still kept playing shows.
Lately, though, I'm in a dead zone of shows. I used to do sets for a local booker and was playing about every month for a while. Then they quit booking shows. Then they started booking shows again, and I got one every few months. Then they quit booking me. Then, nine months later, they quit altogether.
Right now, I've had one gig in the last few months, and that was a songwriter showcase that had four people in the audience even though I invited everyone I know. I have absolutely nothing on the books right now, and that is way too familiar of a feeling.
By all rights, I should be panicking about the lack of shows, but if there's one thing I've learned on this voyage, it's that all movement is cyclical. As long as I keep working, something will happen. I'm just trying to keep myself ready.
Earlier this week, I was flipping around YouTube guitar videos, and I caught one about B.B. King taught by Tomo Fujita. I went down to the basement and ran through some of the material, and a lightbulb opened. Suddenly, the guitar just started making more sense. I realized that I've been doing this almost 35 years, and I'm still growing. If that's not motivation to keep going, I don't know what is.
So I'm about to pick up Reverend Guitar number two and get back to practicing. Later this week (after I get some grading done), it's time to turn back to album number three and get those guitars recorded. I am also contemplating other ways to get my music out. So look out for new moves.
I practiced a lot and basically learned how to play off of AC/DC and Black Sabbath records. I really wanted to play in a band, but bands kept eluding me. Jacksonville FL had way too many guitar players, and I never got in a situation that survived to getting a show. I was also working a whole lot (a probably illegal 35 hours a week while in school), and I'd often drop the guitar for months on end...and that certainly didn't help me on the band front.
Still, I kept trying right up until I got accepted into doctoral school. I dedicated myself entirely to my studies. Strangely enough, though, this is when my guitar playing started to really improve. In spite of my improvement, I always thought that playing out would just elude me forever. Then one weekend I went to the bar, and when I came out, I was in a band. We practiced, learned enough songs, and then we actually got a gig. At the age of 39, I played my first show.
The first band lasted a couple of years. After they broke up, I joined another band. I got band number three a few years later, and then band two broke up. I started playing in band four (an alt country outfit) about the same time I started doing solo shows. Band three broke up. I got my own band, which then broke up, new lineup, broke up, new lineup, and repeat a few times. Alt country band broke up, but I still kept playing shows.
Lately, though, I'm in a dead zone of shows. I used to do sets for a local booker and was playing about every month for a while. Then they quit booking shows. Then they started booking shows again, and I got one every few months. Then they quit booking me. Then, nine months later, they quit altogether.
Right now, I've had one gig in the last few months, and that was a songwriter showcase that had four people in the audience even though I invited everyone I know. I have absolutely nothing on the books right now, and that is way too familiar of a feeling.
By all rights, I should be panicking about the lack of shows, but if there's one thing I've learned on this voyage, it's that all movement is cyclical. As long as I keep working, something will happen. I'm just trying to keep myself ready.
Earlier this week, I was flipping around YouTube guitar videos, and I caught one about B.B. King taught by Tomo Fujita. I went down to the basement and ran through some of the material, and a lightbulb opened. Suddenly, the guitar just started making more sense. I realized that I've been doing this almost 35 years, and I'm still growing. If that's not motivation to keep going, I don't know what is.
So I'm about to pick up Reverend Guitar number two and get back to practicing. Later this week (after I get some grading done), it's time to turn back to album number three and get those guitars recorded. I am also contemplating other ways to get my music out. So look out for new moves.
Wednesday, January 08, 2020
get those engines firing
Man, it's been a while, right?
It's been a busy period. After a year in a cover band that never made any money, working too much, buying a house and moving, working too much, and generally trying to get my head straight, however, I am going to get back into the swing of things. I've already restarted my social media presence. It's time to rock.
I do foresee difficulties, though. The Toledo Promotion company whose been booking me is shutting down. My main musical collaborator is in a much more successful band and about to go back to a job with unpredictable hours. No matter. I will still rock.
Right now, I'm finishing up on some school prep work and working on my guitar playing (scale visualization, sweep picking, and the like). I've got drums and bass recorded for album number three. Next I lay down guitars. It's been in progress for too long, and it still has a ways to go, but the next TheMikeDuBose release (entitled Happy Go Lucky) will be done before you know it.
Nice to be back.
It's been a busy period. After a year in a cover band that never made any money, working too much, buying a house and moving, working too much, and generally trying to get my head straight, however, I am going to get back into the swing of things. I've already restarted my social media presence. It's time to rock.
I do foresee difficulties, though. The Toledo Promotion company whose been booking me is shutting down. My main musical collaborator is in a much more successful band and about to go back to a job with unpredictable hours. No matter. I will still rock.
Right now, I'm finishing up on some school prep work and working on my guitar playing (scale visualization, sweep picking, and the like). I've got drums and bass recorded for album number three. Next I lay down guitars. It's been in progress for too long, and it still has a ways to go, but the next TheMikeDuBose release (entitled Happy Go Lucky) will be done before you know it.
Nice to be back.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Emergency gig!
Hi all!
I'm playing a last minute set tonight (Wednesday, 6/9) at Stone's Throw in Bowling Green for Hump Day Review. I go on at 9:20, and I would love to see you there! There's a ton of good music (right after me, for instance, is the awesome Boo Lee Crosser), and I will have the 2019 Sylvia guitar picks if anyone's collecting.
I'm playing a last minute set tonight (Wednesday, 6/9) at Stone's Throw in Bowling Green for Hump Day Review. I go on at 9:20, and I would love to see you there! There's a ton of good music (right after me, for instance, is the awesome Boo Lee Crosser), and I will have the 2019 Sylvia guitar picks if anyone's collecting.
Friday, June 14, 2019
TheMikeDuBose on the radio
Oh, my...has it really been that long?
Big events happening in TheMikeDuBose land! My second album Depression Monster is being played on the radio! I've made the rotation of WAKT 106.1 FM in Toledo (they also stream online), and you can hear me on the show "The View from Nowhere," which is (according to the host Alan Goldsmith) "two hours of eclectic free form radio with lots of locally sourced original music from the Streets of Toledo." This is really cool, because I get to hear myself alongside such great artists as Flat Earth Agenda, Zimmerman Twins, A.S. Coomer, and many others. May 4, they played "Hate Blues" (stream that episode here). I'm also going to be on tonight's show, so I'm looking forward to seeing what gets played tonight.
Things are quiet gig-wise, but I am working hard on album three. Drums are done, and as soon as I finished with this update, I'm working on bass and synth. We should have it ready to go by the end of the year at the latest.
Thanks for listening!
Big events happening in TheMikeDuBose land! My second album Depression Monster is being played on the radio! I've made the rotation of WAKT 106.1 FM in Toledo (they also stream online), and you can hear me on the show "The View from Nowhere," which is (according to the host Alan Goldsmith) "two hours of eclectic free form radio with lots of locally sourced original music from the Streets of Toledo." This is really cool, because I get to hear myself alongside such great artists as Flat Earth Agenda, Zimmerman Twins, A.S. Coomer, and many others. May 4, they played "Hate Blues" (stream that episode here). I'm also going to be on tonight's show, so I'm looking forward to seeing what gets played tonight.
Things are quiet gig-wise, but I am working hard on album three. Drums are done, and as soon as I finished with this update, I'm working on bass and synth. We should have it ready to go by the end of the year at the latest.
Thanks for listening!
Thursday, January 11, 2018
new music update
I've got two upcoming shows and news on the next album in the latest TheMikeDuBose news letter. Sign up via the link on the right!
Thursday, November 30, 2017
holiday depression songs!
It's officially the holiday season. Well, if you believe your local big box store, that probably started immediately after Halloween. But we won't think of them, because it's almost December...so it's safe to display and decorate your holiday shrubbery.
This means, though, that it's finally allowable to play holiday music again. So, for all you holiday grinches and humbugs--or for everyone who has one in their life--may I present to you TheMikeDuBose's own festive song, "I Don't Wanna Be Depressed (This X-mas)!"
The mp3 is available at the TheMikeDuBose Bandcamp page, backed with the song "X-mas in the Drunk Tank). They make great digital stocking stuffers!
Oh, so does my new album Depression Monster, which you can also buy on Bandcamp.
This means, though, that it's finally allowable to play holiday music again. So, for all you holiday grinches and humbugs--or for everyone who has one in their life--may I present to you TheMikeDuBose's own festive song, "I Don't Wanna Be Depressed (This X-mas)!"
The mp3 is available at the TheMikeDuBose Bandcamp page, backed with the song "X-mas in the Drunk Tank). They make great digital stocking stuffers!
Oh, so does my new album Depression Monster, which you can also buy on Bandcamp.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
memories of music
As I was driving to work today, I noticed a familiar sticker on the car in front of me. When we hit a stoplight, I was able to confirm that the vehicle in fact did have a sticker from my old band Analog Revolution. This blew me a way a little bit, as we were never all that popular on the scene. No massive following for us, in spite of original songs of which I'm still proud.
So seeing the sticker did in fact make me feel kind of proud...for a minute or so. Then I recognized another sticker on the car, and then I figured out that the car was in fact my old Buick, and whomever bought it just never bothered to peel off the old stickers. So my initial emotional high ended up turning into yet another example of "ah, that's life."
It did, however, make me wish more people saw that band. I do what I do because I have to, mostly for the sake of my own mental health. But doing music is still communication, and I do want people to hear my work. Sharing your efforts is an inevitable part of the process, and I am exceedingly proud of my music. I just want enough people to come see me so no one gives me the old Gong Show hook.
I also want people to come see the newest version of my band. I'm thrilled to have musicians play with me who like my stuff, and it's wonderful to be able to present the songs in a fuller set-up. I am (coincidentally) playing tonight at Howard's Club H at 9pm. It will be the first time I've played there since January, and the first time I'm with my band since 2015. If you're in the area, please come. I will even have you home at a reasonable hour!
So seeing the sticker did in fact make me feel kind of proud...for a minute or so. Then I recognized another sticker on the car, and then I figured out that the car was in fact my old Buick, and whomever bought it just never bothered to peel off the old stickers. So my initial emotional high ended up turning into yet another example of "ah, that's life."
It did, however, make me wish more people saw that band. I do what I do because I have to, mostly for the sake of my own mental health. But doing music is still communication, and I do want people to hear my work. Sharing your efforts is an inevitable part of the process, and I am exceedingly proud of my music. I just want enough people to come see me so no one gives me the old Gong Show hook.
Wednesday, October 04, 2017
early October happenings
I have a band!
Using methods beyond my own comprehension, I have assembled yet another backing band (The Antidepressants version 4.0, I think). I can now bring a full band rock show to my second album's songs. This makes me mighty happy. We played as a four piece on Black Swamp Arts Festival weekend. We did a three piece performance at a party adjacent to the Luckey Fall Festival. And this weekend, we get to do it again!
This Saturday, I'm playing at Stone's Throw (my home away from home). I will be splitting sets with the immensely talented April Freed. I go on for an acoustic set from 9:45 to 10:30. After April's second set, TheMikeDuBose and the Antidepressants bring the rock from 11:15-midnight. It will be a blast and a half, and I'd really love to see you there.
Tonight, though, I'm doing a warm-up at The Hump Day Revue, where I'll get about four or five songs on acoustic. Also, my horn player Nick Zoidberg will be joining me. I will have copies of both albums for sale, and I'd also love to see you tonight.
In the meantime, isn't this weekend's flyer very green?
Using methods beyond my own comprehension, I have assembled yet another backing band (The Antidepressants version 4.0, I think). I can now bring a full band rock show to my second album's songs. This makes me mighty happy. We played as a four piece on Black Swamp Arts Festival weekend. We did a three piece performance at a party adjacent to the Luckey Fall Festival. And this weekend, we get to do it again!
Tonight, though, I'm doing a warm-up at The Hump Day Revue, where I'll get about four or five songs on acoustic. Also, my horn player Nick Zoidberg will be joining me. I will have copies of both albums for sale, and I'd also love to see you tonight.
In the meantime, isn't this weekend's flyer very green?
Monday, August 21, 2017
my second album's release
It's been entirely too long since I released my debut album Skeleton Coast. I really wanted to get a follow-up out fairly quickly. Life, though, has a way of intervening whenever possible. There was production issues. There was a year-long detour into a cover band in an attempt to actually make money playing music (spoiler: it didn't work). There were work crises. Some times, it seemed like everything possible which could delay my work did delay my work.
No worries, though. Depression Monster is on track. Recording is done. Mixing is done. Mastering is done. Test copy has been ordered, delivered, reviewed, and approved. The final order has been shipped. Files are on Bandcamp.
It's really hard for me to get perspective on my work anyway, and when I've been working on an album this long, it's nigh impossible. Nevertheless, it sounds very, very good to my ears. I've given it to a few people I really trust, and they tell me it's as close to "official major label release" in sound as one can get. Nick Zoidberg, my compatriot, is relatively gaga over the album. All these are good signs.
There will be much more coming about the album in the next few weeks. Today's news, though, is that the scheduled Saturday album release show has been cancelled due to accidental double booking. No worries, though, as I'll now be playing at Stone's Throw (my home base) the next three months: on September 9 (Black Swamp Arts Festival weekend!), October 7, and November 11. I'll also be hitting many other area establishments, so there will be many opportunities to see me and snag a disk. Can't get to a show yet still want the physical artifact? E-mail me at themikedubose@yahoo.com and I will work something out.
If you're the kind of person who does their music digitally, the album is available for pre-order on my Bandcamp page. If you order now, you get an immediate download of the opening track "Mileage." The full album goes live this Saturday, August 26.
Big things are happening. Stay tuned.
It's really hard for me to get perspective on my work anyway, and when I've been working on an album this long, it's nigh impossible. Nevertheless, it sounds very, very good to my ears. I've given it to a few people I really trust, and they tell me it's as close to "official major label release" in sound as one can get. Nick Zoidberg, my compatriot, is relatively gaga over the album. All these are good signs.
There will be much more coming about the album in the next few weeks. Today's news, though, is that the scheduled Saturday album release show has been cancelled due to accidental double booking. No worries, though, as I'll now be playing at Stone's Throw (my home base) the next three months: on September 9 (Black Swamp Arts Festival weekend!), October 7, and November 11. I'll also be hitting many other area establishments, so there will be many opportunities to see me and snag a disk. Can't get to a show yet still want the physical artifact? E-mail me at themikedubose@yahoo.com and I will work something out.
If you're the kind of person who does their music digitally, the album is available for pre-order on my Bandcamp page. If you order now, you get an immediate download of the opening track "Mileage." The full album goes live this Saturday, August 26.
Big things are happening. Stay tuned.
Thursday, July 13, 2017
recording update
I have a hard deadline for finishing my album. There's already an album release show set for August 26, so I need to have the recording sent to the printer by the end of July. Luckily, I am on track.
I finished background vocals a week ago. Bass guitar was finished last Friday. About ten minutes ago, I completed the last guitar track...a wicked double-tracked outro solo which makes me sound like a wizard.
I'm taking another blast at the lead vocals, and then, it's just mixing and mastering. I've been tightening the arrangements as I go, so the mix should proceed in a swift fashion.
I'm getting excited. I can't wait for y'all to hear it. It's been a long time coming.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
My Onion horoscope
- "There will be nothing you can do to avert the disaster of next week, although there will be plenty that a reasonably bright and competent person could do."
Thanks, guys.
occupation
Today, my child is at her summer care program (run by her school). She's on a field trip to the zoo, so I have the day to work. You think that summer for a teacher would be a time of vacation, of international travel, of lazing about, but that's not the case for me. Already, I have spent a over a week grading AP exams. I've played an area festival. And I'm close to finishing my second album.
Why do work when one doesn't have to? Well, in the case of the grading, it's that I need the money. Grad school leads to a lot of debt, and I still haven't come close to clawing my way out of it. Next year, I might even have to look into additional grading employment, as I recently found out that I'm ineligible for the government program for forgiving public servants of their student loans. Why? Because I took advantage of another government program to consolidate my loans over a decade ago. This is a blow, because getting my student loans forgiven might've helped free up enough cash to me to make some headway on my credit card debt. That ain't happening now.
I discovered my loan forgiveness ineligibility yesterday. In spite of that, however, I'm in a pretty decent mood. While the therapy and antidepressants certainly have a large role in my peaceful state of mind, they are far from the only factors. Having a great family also helps (see my previous posts about my strange child), but managed expectations also play their part...and they are largely a product of science fiction.
After dropping off my daughter, I came home, broke out the Aeropress, and put on just a little television. Last night, I found out that Hulu has the television version of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, so I watched an episode or two while drinking my coffee and plotting the day. That's when I heard this quote:
This quote (along with its radio, novelization, and cinema versions) resonates with me and also explains my summer shenanigans. Why play music? Why work on an album which, in the grand scheme of things, few people will actually hear? Why in fact try to accomplish anything?
To me, this is answered in another Hitchhiker's quote (this time from the book):
Will thinking about things help? Probably not. Instead, focus on what you can do. Me? I can raise my kid. I can write songs. I can keep moving.
That's enough.
Why do work when one doesn't have to? Well, in the case of the grading, it's that I need the money. Grad school leads to a lot of debt, and I still haven't come close to clawing my way out of it. Next year, I might even have to look into additional grading employment, as I recently found out that I'm ineligible for the government program for forgiving public servants of their student loans. Why? Because I took advantage of another government program to consolidate my loans over a decade ago. This is a blow, because getting my student loans forgiven might've helped free up enough cash to me to make some headway on my credit card debt. That ain't happening now.
I discovered my loan forgiveness ineligibility yesterday. In spite of that, however, I'm in a pretty decent mood. While the therapy and antidepressants certainly have a large role in my peaceful state of mind, they are far from the only factors. Having a great family also helps (see my previous posts about my strange child), but managed expectations also play their part...and they are largely a product of science fiction.
After dropping off my daughter, I came home, broke out the Aeropress, and put on just a little television. Last night, I found out that Hulu has the television version of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, so I watched an episode or two while drinking my coffee and plotting the day. That's when I heard this quote:
- Perhaps I'm old, but the chances of finding out what really is going on are so absurdly remote the only thing to do is to say, "Hang the sense of it" and keep occupied.
This quote (along with its radio, novelization, and cinema versions) resonates with me and also explains my summer shenanigans. Why play music? Why work on an album which, in the grand scheme of things, few people will actually hear? Why in fact try to accomplish anything?
To me, this is answered in another Hitchhiker's quote (this time from the book):
- there comes a point I'm afraid where you begin to suspect that the entire multidimensional infinity of the Universe is almost certainly being run by a bunch of maniacs
Will thinking about things help? Probably not. Instead, focus on what you can do. Me? I can raise my kid. I can write songs. I can keep moving.
That's enough.
Who cares? Perhaps I'm old, but the chances of finding out what really is going on are so absurdly remote the only thing to do is to say, "Hang the sense of it" and keep occupied.
Read more: http://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/view_episode_scripts.php?tv-show=the-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy&episode=s01e04
Friday, July 07, 2017
another exchange
Me: "I wonder what it would be like to have a normal child."
Daughter: "It would be horrible. Normal is boring. Strange is much more fun."
Ah. My child.
on my inability to fool anyone
Hi. remember me? I've been buried in the album (it has to go to the printer by the end of the month), but I have a story that must be told in spite of the damage it will do to my ego.
Me and my daughter we're driving to the grocery store when we saw a bus from her old daycare. We started to speculate on where they might be going. My kid shot down my suggestion they might be going to the pumpkin patch for jack-o'-lanterns or to the Christmas tree farm. I then suggested they might be traveling to Toledo to see a statue of me.
"I don't think so, daddy," she replied without a second of thought. "I really doubt anyone knows who you are."
Ouch. At the very least, I'm pretty sure she will not really ever let people take advantage of her.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Music news
Quick music news!
- I play this Wednesday, 5/31 at 10pm at Stone's Throw Tavern in BG for Hump Day Revue. This will be a rawk show,
- I play this Saturday, 6/3 at 3pm on the Old West End Festival in Toledo OH , on the Art Fair Stage. This will be a rawk show.
- I'm at Stone's Throw Tavern in Bowling Green again on July 7, from 9 to midnight.
- August 26th will be my album release show for TheMikeDuBose's Depression Monster! At long last!
- Nick Zoidberg will be joining me at any number of these shows.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
required viewing
While I might have uncertain feelings on Google as a mega-corporation and the unreal amount of influence they have over people's lives, one thing they really have working in their favor is their public applications of quirk. I particularly appreciate the special Google Doodles. Today's doodle (Wednesday, 4/26) is particularly amazing. It is a celebration of the Cassini spacecraft that, if you're anything like me, hits you directly in the "feels."I wasn't really a space nerd growing up. In fact, in my late teens, I got the idea that all the money spent jumping into space could probably be better spent feeding or educating people. But as I grew up, I got a bit wiser. I became more aware of the space program working as a catalyst for intellectual discovery in general. I learned about any number of real-world benefits from NASA's work. Most importantly, I became aware of the sense of grandeur of the pursuit.
It was when I became aware of the Cassini, though, and its mission to Saturn where I finally turned a corner. Saturn is close enough to be real to me in a way that distant space objects (such as The Pillars of Creation) can never be. Yet it is also is more outlandish and weird than anything I've seen in films. It has a total of sixty two discovered moons. One of those, Titan, has ethane and methane clouds and liquid hydrocarbon lakes (a Cassini discovery). Another, Enceladus, has subsurface oceans of liquid water (also discovered by Cassini) and has volcanoes which shoot ice into space. Then there's Mimas, a moon which bears more than a passing resemblance to the Death Star.
Today, Cassini starts a series of swoops between the planet and its rings. It will undoubtedly discover more mysteries to keep the scientists awash in new discoveries. It will take more stunning photos. Then, by the end of the year, it will crash into the planet.I will miss the sense of wonder I feel whenever it sends a new photo. I will miss the marvel of every new discovery. Most of all, though, I will be thankful to the tiny machine orbiting a distant planet. Without it, I might not have fell in love with space.
Bon voyage, Cassini.
music update
Just to prove I haven't been completely slacking in the music department, here's two bits of music news.
First, I am on the home stretch of the follow-up album. It will be called Depression Monster, and it should be out this summer. I'm hoping I can have copies for sale by the beginning of June. Stay tuned for details. In the meantime, here's an early mix of the opening song "Mileage":
Secondly, I will once again be playing at the Old West End Festival. This year, I will be at the Art Fair stage on Saturday, June 3rd at 3pm. I'm currently working on trying to assemble a full horn section for the gig. It should be fun!
I've got a few more days of grading to do, and then I'm off my day job until Fall. I will be recording, recording, recording, and then I'll be looking for gigs to support the album. I've already got album number three written, and I promise that one will go a whole lot quicker than did album number two.
Thanks for your support!
First, I am on the home stretch of the follow-up album. It will be called Depression Monster, and it should be out this summer. I'm hoping I can have copies for sale by the beginning of June. Stay tuned for details. In the meantime, here's an early mix of the opening song "Mileage":
Secondly, I will once again be playing at the Old West End Festival. This year, I will be at the Art Fair stage on Saturday, June 3rd at 3pm. I'm currently working on trying to assemble a full horn section for the gig. It should be fun!
I've got a few more days of grading to do, and then I'm off my day job until Fall. I will be recording, recording, recording, and then I'll be looking for gigs to support the album. I've already got album number three written, and I promise that one will go a whole lot quicker than did album number two.
Thanks for your support!
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
my Onion Horoscope, 4/25/17
Because we haven't done this in a while, my Onion horoscope:
- You will definitely be remembered by all people for all time, a fact that should make you feel much more shame and disappointment than it may seem.
Wednesday, April 05, 2017
today's weird grading notes
I'm grading tech writing documents, so I have to comment on document design, picture arrangement, formatting, and many other fun things. Today, I find myself repeatedly telling the students to label all the images they use (as 'figure a') and to refer to those labels in the text. However, my fingers have been failing me, and I have been instead typing "label mages."
Admittedly, it would be a lot more fun to label a magician than a graphic in a technical description. At first, though, I thought I was just making a typo. It wasn't until the 'fun center' of my brain started to shut down, though, when I realized I was actually indulging in wish fulfillment! Screw technical report writing. I want to instead focus on spell-casting and alchemy. Surely I can't be the only teacher who thinks this way.
It is at that point of realization, though, where my logic center starts to reassert itself. After all, I find myself, instead of typing 'white space,' actually typing 'shite space.' Certainly that can't be wish fulfillment, can it?
Or maybe it's just unconscious description coming out. Hmm.
Admittedly, it would be a lot more fun to label a magician than a graphic in a technical description. At first, though, I thought I was just making a typo. It wasn't until the 'fun center' of my brain started to shut down, though, when I realized I was actually indulging in wish fulfillment! Screw technical report writing. I want to instead focus on spell-casting and alchemy. Surely I can't be the only teacher who thinks this way.
It is at that point of realization, though, where my logic center starts to reassert itself. After all, I find myself, instead of typing 'white space,' actually typing 'shite space.' Certainly that can't be wish fulfillment, can it?
Or maybe it's just unconscious description coming out. Hmm.
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