I was awake @ 6 AM today with the goal of finishing the conversion of 30ish CDs on Spindle #39. I accomplished my goal! This means I have 10 spindles x 100 CDs remaining until all 50 spindles are complete. It feels really good to be this far along with the project. I have an ambitious idea to finish the remaining 10 spindles in 60ish days so that on March 3, 2018 - one entire year before my self-imposed 1000 day goal - I will be done. I need to convert an average of 17 CDs a day in order to accomplish this goal. I will need to decide how I'm going to get caught up if I fall behind with that schedule. I will likely end up having a few weekend mornings where I am up early and working to get caught up with my quota - I don't see myself sitting up at the computer in the den on a nightly basis.
I want to be clear that I am not going to stress about meeting the March date. I just think it would be neat to meet it. If I don't, I'm certainly not going to lose sleep over it.
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Cannot Hum
I came across this video and realized I cannot hum a single Radiohead tune.
I know they're a popular band and all - I just haven't spent time with them.
I know they're a popular band and all - I just haven't spent time with them.
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Friday, December 29, 2017
First Boston, Now Washington
This sounds like a lot of fun! Too bad this Ideal Band is located in Washington (the state).
Maybe 2018 will be the Year of the Ideal Band coming together!
Maybe 2018 will be the Year of the Ideal Band coming together!
Pro Wrestling Recap
I won't say my interest in pro wresting is declining, but I will say if I don't actually sit down and watch Monday Night Raw on a Monday, I'm not too shook up about it as I know I can rely on sites like Bleacher Report to provide both a live results feed as well as a recap of the show shortly after it ends. I do enjoy reading articles about professional wrestling. I feel like even though I've watched professional wrestling for many years, there is a lot about it I don't know. I liken it to how I can watch a magic show and have ZERO idea how the tricks I see are being done in front of me while I have no clue as to how they were done. What I like the most about professional wrestling is when I see a good story. I admit I've seen enough of the same story throughout the years. Some very popular storylines are when:
- the tag team that doesn't want to work together earns a victory - in 2017, it was Jason Jordan filling in for Dean Ambrose (who will be out of action for ~9 months) winning the tag team titles on 12/25
- the unified alliance crumbles - in 2017, it was the collapse of Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens
- Give me a new champion. Current champ Brock Lesnar needs to lose the belt or be seen more frequently on TV. His part-time championship reign feels more like a boxing championship where there aren't a lot of defenses of the title. I think putting the belt on, say, Samoa Joe or Braun Strowman or Finn Balor would be a smart move as they are on TV each week. Yes, I get Lesnar is the "Beast" and I get the way he represents a tough challenge. At the same time the other wrestlers I just mentioned don't have Lesnar's cushy schedule as far as in-ring time. They are doing house shows and going up and down the highways, working their asses off. Lesnar is compelling, but his time is over (as far as I'm concerned).
- Give me a compelling reason to care about the Cruiserweight division. I know I've seen some of the same people week after week but I know very little about their characters. Swann? Gentleman Jim (the guy who had the umbrella for a while)? They are interesting characters but shit if I know what motivates them.
- Give me a compelling reason to care about the brood of underdogs, whether they are faces or heels.
- I don't care about Jason Jordan. I don't care for the gimmick of being Kurt Angle's son. It means nothing to me.
- I DO care about Sheamus & Cesaro because they rarely 'phone in' their matches - they are bruising and talented.
- I don't care about Bray Wyatt. I don't care about Abigail & his promo style of talking in riddles has grown stale.
- I DO care about Elias and his singing songs to insult fans - I personally think he is talented on the guitar as well as on the mic. He needs a 'real' feud, not one-off fights.
- John Cena, Asuka's Streak, Bray Wyatt and the 2018 WWE Preview Mailbag
- John Cena Shifting WWE Role Was One of 2017's Underrated Stories
- 5 New Year's Resolutions for the WWE Universe
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Collection of Links
- Disneyland Power Outage
- 10 years
- Rian Johnson Was 'Terrified' Of Making One Major Change To Kylo Ren In 'The Last Jedi'
- Mark Hamill Posts A Perfect Tribute To Carrie Fisher One Year After Her Death
- Stunned contestant quickly loses $1.3 million on ‘The Wall’
- Co-creator of 'MTV Unplugged' dies after being hit by taxi
- WWE
- Drums
- You have received a YouTube video!
Considered
Seeing "Save $497 on the Ultimate Full Stack JavaScript Bundle!" certainly made me think about whether I should spend the $39 for the JavaScript bundle on this website:
I really don't see where I would be able to use the skills I'd get from going through the courses and the videos. Besides, my employer has an arrangement with the educational website called Lynda.com where I can take any class or watch any video. I just searched for "JavaScript" and found there are 52 courses and 1529 video tutorials, as shown below:
If each of those 1529 video tutorials had an average length of 1 hour, it would take 38 x 40 hour work weeks to watch all of those videos.
I really don't see where I would be able to use the skills I'd get from going through the courses and the videos. Besides, my employer has an arrangement with the educational website called Lynda.com where I can take any class or watch any video. I just searched for "JavaScript" and found there are 52 courses and 1529 video tutorials, as shown below:
If each of those 1529 video tutorials had an average length of 1 hour, it would take 38 x 40 hour work weeks to watch all of those videos.
Revolving Doors!
When you look at these 5 pages, you might be put off by how many times the band's lineup has changed. I don't really think that's appropriate. There are bands that are not as popular or as well-known as these 5 bands who change their lineup at least as frequently as these 5. The difference is that sites like blabbermouth.net, Loudwire.com, and other metal music websites are around to write about the changes and, sometimes unfortunately, provide fans with a place to voice their pleasure (or displeasure) with the change.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Black_Sabbath_band_members
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Cradle_of_Filth_members
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Megadeth_band_members
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Quiet_Riot_members
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W.A.S.P.#Members
Senior Class Gets a Win
One of the storylines going into the Iowa Hawkeyes bowl game yesterday was that the senior class had never won a bowl game. There were some 5th year seniors who were 0-5. I ... nah, read the report from my Hawk Talk Daily email:
I'm glad they ended the season on a high note. As the article said, it was the first bowl game victory since 2010! Well done Hawks!
HAWKEYES PUSH (SLIDE) THEIR WAY TO A BOWL WIN
Turnovers, special teams favor Iowa during 27-20 New Era Pinstripe Bowl
By DARREN MILLER
BRONX, New York -- Anthony Nelson spent more than three quarters of Wednesday's New Era Pinstripe Bowl trying to solve the frozen, slick Yankee Stadium turf. Every play was a test to see how fast he could go or how quickly he could pivot without face-planting.
The big breakthrough came for the University of Iowa sophomore defensive end with 4 ½ minutes to play in a deadlocked game against Boston College.
Then the Eagles were forced into a third-and-8 from midfield.
"I was able to get the right footing," Nelson said.
Nelson reached Boston College quarterback Darius Wade six yards into the backfield, forcing a fumble that junior Parker Hesse recovered.
"It was a normal play, everybody was trying to get a rush and help the defensive backs," Nelson said. "I got enough footing and was able to go fast enough to get the edge and ended up at the quarterback."
What followed was a 27-yard run by Akrum Wadley, the hometown hero who parlayed 283 all-purpose yards into an MVP award, a 17-yard completion from quarterback Nate Stanley to Nate Wieting, and a 1-yard touchdown run by fullback Drake Kulick...on his second rushing attempt of the season.
Final score: Iowa 27, Boston College 20.
"In a game like this, you never know," said Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. "We were having a hard time coming up with anything to slow them down. To get the stop and turnover gave us a spark and when you are in a game like this, sparks are huge. It is not a shock, Anthony has a really good first step."
Nelson's good first step is usually apparent when surfaces are more conducive for football rather than ice hockey. Wednesday's weather was clear and cold at Yankee Stadium with wind chill at 13 degrees. The turf was so slick, some players even tried switching to tennis shoes.
"It was fun, but frustrating," Nelson said. "It was like a new challenge and brought something different to the game: not being able to do things I usually can, like being able to put your foot in the ground and cut."
The Hawkeyes won for the eighth time this season (against five losses) and finished a season with a victory for the first time since Dec. 28, 2010, when they defeated Missouri in the Insight Bowl.
When the bowl matchups were announced, the 2017 New Era Pinstripe Bowl looked like an even tussle on paper and in the film room. In the days leading to kickoff, both coaches said the victor would be the team that forced turnovers and exceled on special teams.
That team was Iowa. The Hawkeyes were plus-3 in turnovers (two interceptions and one fumble), Iowa's Miguel Recinos was perfect on two field goals (the Eagles were 2 for 3), and Wadley had kickoff returns of 72, 25, 19, 40, and 15 yards.
"Coach (Ferentz) is always talking about playing complementary football and overcoming adversity," Wadley said. "Special teams played a key in the victory -- I had some blockers that believed in me and we drew up some good schemes -- shout out to coach (LeVar) Woods -- and we stuck to the game plan."
On the third play from scrimmage, Iowa junior free safety Jake Gervase intercepted Wade and returned it 29 yards to Boston College's 6-yard-line. A 24-yard field goal by Recinos put the Hawkeyes ahead, 3-0.
"We knew both teams would be predominantly run throughout the game and when they passed we had to take advantage and try to force turnovers," Gervase said. "We got one on the first drive, which was a momentum-starter for us. Any time you can create turnovers and get the ball back to the offense is big."
After Iowa took a 27-20 lead, All-America cornerback Josh Jackson collected the team's third turnover with his school record-tying eighth interception of the season.
Another key? Iowa was penalized three times for 20 yards, Boston College had six for 57 yards.
"These guys kept pushing forward," Ferentz said. And they pushed their way to the 2017 New Era Pinstripe Bowl trophy.
I'm glad they ended the season on a high note. As the article said, it was the first bowl game victory since 2010! Well done Hawks!
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Only 18hr 29 min (1,210 miles) for Band Practice
Someday, I hope an ad like this one shows up on the Iowa City or Cedar Rapids Craigslist > Musicians page.
The above is from Boston, MA.
The above is from Boston, MA.
I'm Under a Rock
Came upon this:
I've heard ZERO of these songs.
I've heard ZERO of these songs.
- Alex Cameron - Stranger’s Kiss ft. Angel Olsen
- Algiers - The Underside of Power
- Alvvays - Plimsoll Punks
- Ariel Pink - Feels Like Heaven
- Big K.R.I.T. - Keep the Devil Off
- Brockhampton - Gold
- Cardi B - Bodak Yellow
- Charli XCX - Boys
- Father John Misty - Pure Comedy
- Feist - Pleasure
- Fleet Foxes - Third of May / Odaigahara
- HMLTD - To the Door
- Ibeyi - Deathless
- Ibibio Sound Machine - Pot Is on Fire
- Idles - Mother
- Iglooghost - White Gum
- Injury Reserve - See You Sweat
- Jay-Z - The Story of O.J.
- Juicy J - Flood Watch
- Kelela - Waitin
- Kendrick Lamar - Humble
- Kesha - Praying
- The Killers - Run for Cover
- Kimbra - Top of the World
- Kirin J Callinan - Bravado
- Lil Pump - Gucci Gang
- Lorde - Liability
- Lou the Human - Macklemore
- MGMT - Little Dark Age
- Migos - T-Shirt
- Mount Eerie - Real Death
- Mountain Goats - Rain in Soho
- N.E.R.D - Lemon ft. Rihanna
- Open Mike Eagle - 95 Radios
- Paramore - Hard Times
- Post Malone - Rockstar
- Perfume Genius - Slip Away
- Playboi Carti - Magnolia
- Poppy - Computer Boy
- Protomartyr - Don’t Go to Anacita
- Rapsody - Power ft. Kendrick Lamar and Lance Skiiiwalker
- Rina Sawayama - Cyber Stockholm Syndrome
- Roger Waters - Déjà Vu
- Ski Mask the Slump God - Catch Me Outside
- SOPHIE - It’s Okay to Cry
- St. Vincent - Pills
- SZA - The Weekend
- Tyler, The Creator - Boredom
- Vince Staples - Big Fish
- Yung Lean - Red Bottom Sky
How Thanos Dies
From the comments:
- Spider-man 2
- Spider-man 3
- Guardians of the Galaxy 3
- Doctor Strange 2
- Doctor Strange 3
- Ant-Man 3
- Black Panther 2
- Black Panther 3
- Captain Marvel 2
- Captain Marvel 3
- New Avengers 1
- New Avengers 2
- New Avengers 3
- A-Force
- Nova
- Adam Warlock
- Namor
- X-men 1
- X-men 2
- X-men 3
- Wolverine 1
- Wolverine 2
- Wolverine 3
- Doctor Doom
- Fantastic Four 1
- Fantastic Four 2
- Fantastic Four 3
- Silver Surfer
- Galactus
- Deadpool 3
Excellent Tool
I've known about Paul Beverly, though he lives in England and thus, only through the Internet, for probably a decade - I'd have to search through my email archives for a definitive date - but until today, I'd never heard his voice. Now I have:
I am going to be adding more of Paul Beverly's videos to this youtube playlist - there were 6 when I initially embedded it in this post.
I am going to be adding more of Paul Beverly's videos to this youtube playlist - there were 6 when I initially embedded it in this post.
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Monday, December 25, 2017
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Number Nine
https://www.drumeo.com/blog/top-10-drum-videos-drumeo/?inf_contact_key=027fa6d82b7fa6dbe46151eb5eb72ed6c12f3c00bc38fd193d3cd31b1bc6e95c
Editor's Note: Added video #10 due to an editing error.
Friday, December 22, 2017
From EE
What a powerful letter from Erick Erickson.
I rarely put my cooking messes on Instagram. I put up a picture the other day of my messy desk, and people were surprised. One thing I do try to do is be open about my family's life and struggles when I can as best I can. I do it not to put the spotlight on me or as a plea for attention or help, but because in the internet age we all have perfect lives. At least that is the image so many of us convey. The perfect meal perfectly plated is placed on the perfectly set table as we, perfectly dressed, consume it with the perfectly paired drink. There is no illness. Our children are model angels in service of the Lord.
Except it is all a lie. Our houses are wrecks, our cookies are not perfectly round, and the chicken is dry out of the oven. Our clothes are wrinkled. Our lives are all messes to one degree or another. We all have struggles and, if I can live mine a bit publicly at least, you might realize you are not alone or realize even that you have it better than you thought. It is not a ploy for sympathy, but a reminder that you are not alone in sometimes feeling overwhelmed at the holiday season. All of us go through periods of life that are far from postcard picture perfect, even when we may not show it.
My wife has a rare, genetic form of lung cancer. There is no cure. She takes a daily pill that keeps her cancer at bay, but the cancer will one day mutate around the pill. We live in increments of a few months at a time between CT scans. And I worked myself up into being convinced I was ready to leave Fox after five years and said so. Then it turns out they were ready for me to go anyway. Now suddenly I realize half the family income is going away in a month and I've got credit card debts, car payments, a mortgage, and I know I've got a big tax bill coming even with the tax cuts. I have no idea how we will make ends meet. It sucks, I'm worried, and it's Christmas.
But I know other people who have it far worse. I still have a radio job and I know people who are unemployed right now. I know a man in my town with kids who just lost his wife to cancer. Life is not perfect and sometimes it can overwhelm us. Sometimes we don't see our way out of the mess we find ourselves in. And at Christmas, it is all the more stressful. We want the perfect presents, the perfect bows, the perfect tree, and the perfect memory. We want a postcard image or a magazine cover after photoshop. Such things do not really exist though.
What does exist, however, is the perfect savior. He can take your burdens and He can take mine. He wants to. He tells us He wants to. We may not know our next steps, but He has already planned them out for us. He knows where we will go and He tells us that all things work for the good of those called according to His purpose.
Christmas time can be terribly stressful as our Instagram perfect lives go searching for a perfection that does not exist in the real world. Our burdens and stresses can get the better of us. My motto is "why pray when I can worry." I have a hard time practicing what I preach. But still, I try and so should you. We are not going to escape the worries and burdens of this world. We may wish to be relieved of present ones we constantly relive over and over knowing that it just means we will get new ones. But we do have relief in a babe in a manger who wants a personal relationship with us.
While you are overwhelmed with worries, He is knocking at your door. Will you answer?
Look, this year I know how overwhelmed you can feel. I know the stress. I am living it right now. And I know it is easier to say "trust in the Lord" than to actually trust in Him when you cannot see the way ahead. But you, like I, can pray. We can ask Him who already knows to make our paths plain. We can ask Him to help our unbelief.
The Lord God was willing to wander the desert in a tent with His people because He wanted a personal relationship with them. And He wants one with you. All you need to do is accept His invitation. There is no better time to do that than now, at the Christmas season, where we remember God made flesh, born in a food trough in the lowliest of circumstances. From a tent to a manger to a cross to a tomb and then on to glory, the whole way wanting to share your life.
If you are overwhelmed and stressed out, turn to Jesus and His perfect sacrifice and elevate your imperfect life to an eternity far greater than the best photoshop on Instagram. Merry Christmas. I invite you, if you would like, to listen to my annual Christmas radio program where I present the gospel message and the real meaning and history of Christmas. You can subscribe by texting the word SHOW to 444999 or go here now.
As always, you can find pretty much anything and everything I'm writing about throughout the day via The Resurgent.
Thanks for reading and tuning in.
Erick Erickson
Nick Hook & DJ Earl
Warning: Adult Language!
I think this is the first rap tune I've heard with an actual guitar part.
I think this is the first rap tune I've heard with an actual guitar part.
Through Season 7
Alex had knee surgery yesterday so he is recuperating at home. I recorded Season 8 of The Walking Dead for him on the DVR. If he wanted to watch the 10 best episodes of the entire series, here's a list:
10. Season 3 Episode 4 – Killer Within
9. Season 2 Episode 12 – Better Angels
8. Season 3 Episode 15 – This Sorrowful Life
7. Season 2 Episode 1 – What Lies Ahead
6. Season 6 Episode 3 – Thank You
5. Season 5 Episode 3 – Four Walls and a roof
4. Season 2 Episode 7 – Pretty Much Dead Already
3. Season 5 Episode 1 – No Sanctuary
2. Season 4 Episode 8 – Too Far Gone
1. Season 6 Episode 9 – No Way Out
Editor's Note: The episodes are available only for payment so they are not embedded.
10. Season 3 Episode 4 – Killer Within
9. Season 2 Episode 12 – Better Angels
8. Season 3 Episode 15 – This Sorrowful Life
7. Season 2 Episode 1 – What Lies Ahead
6. Season 6 Episode 3 – Thank You
5. Season 5 Episode 3 – Four Walls and a roof
4. Season 2 Episode 7 – Pretty Much Dead Already
3. Season 5 Episode 1 – No Sanctuary
2. Season 4 Episode 8 – Too Far Gone
1. Season 6 Episode 9 – No Way Out
Editor's Note: The episodes are available only for payment so they are not embedded.
Riddle Me This
I run Remove Empty Directories for my RoboHelp disaster recovery project directory and see this:
There are 40 directories that are empty.
I run Remove Empty Directories, which deletes the above 40 directories.
I rerun Remove Empty Directories and see this:
The 40 empty directories have been removed.
I open my RoboHelp project.
I rerun Remove Empty Directories and expect to see that I still have no empty directories. However, what I see is that the 40 directories I deleted before are recreated by RoboHelp:
Someday, I vow to find a way off of this hamster wheel.
I run Remove Empty Directories, which deletes the above 40 directories.
I rerun Remove Empty Directories and see this:
I open my RoboHelp project.
I rerun Remove Empty Directories and expect to see that I still have no empty directories. However, what I see is that the 40 directories I deleted before are recreated by RoboHelp:
Book Me
While I welcomed the idea of a new concert venue in the Iowa City area, I hope the person who was quoted in the article I referred to in a previous post - link below - understands how to get their new venue on a tour schedule. Honestly, I do not have any idea how that happens. Consider this tour schedule for Black Veil Brides & Asking Alexandria in 2018. How are those venues chosen? How is it worked out to book all of those gigs? There are 31 dates below so that means fitting into 31 different venues. And why, for example, were the bands booked in St. Louis on 1/15, then Pittsburgh, before going east to Grand Rapids, MI, then Milwaukee, WI, then Chicago, IL, before then heading back to Worchester, MA? Why were they booked in Dallas, TX, and Houston, TX, but not, say, San Antonio, TX, or Austin, TX? Why weren't they booked in Los Angeles, CA? Why didn't they play Salt Lake City, UT, as their first gig, since it's close to Las Vegas, NV?
Again, I have ZERO understanding of all of this and, frankly, I don't even know if the new concert venue was open 'now' if there would have been a way to get a stop on their tour? Who decides whether to play in Iowa or not? Who decides whether to play in Omaha, NE, or not? What about the south? Who decided to not play any dates in Arkansas, Mississippi, or Alabama? Who decided to play no dates in Florida or North Carolina but to play a gig in Virginia?
Again, I have ZERO understanding of all of this.
Link: I've Ranted about this FOR YEARS... That ends in 2019
Editor's Note: Found this article from 2012: https://www.ascap.com/help/career-development/booking-your-own-tour-a-how-to-guide
1/10 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex
1/11 Denver, CO Fillmore Auditorium
1/12 Kansas City, MO Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
1/13 St. Paul, MN Myth Live
1/15 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
1/17 Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE – Indoor
1/18 Grand Rapids, MI 20 Monroe Live
1/19 Milwaukee, WI Eagles Club Stage
1/20 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
2/2 Worcester, MA Palladium
2/3 Portland, ME State Theatre
2/4 Montreal, QC M Telus
2/5 Toronto, ON Rebel
2/7 Norfolk, VA The NorVa
2/8 New York, NY Terminal 5
2/9 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live
2/10 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
2/12 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
2/13 Nashville, TN Marathon Music Works
2/14 Indianapolis, IN Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
2/16 Dallas, TX Gas Monkey Live
2/17 Houston, TX House of Blues
2/19 Albuquerque, NM El Rey Theater
2/20 Tempe, AZ The Marquee
2/22 Boise, ID Knitting Factory Concert House
2/23 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
2/24 Seattle, WA Showbox SoDo
2/25 Vancouver, BC Vogue Theatre
2/27 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory Concert House
3/1 San Francisco, CA The Warfield Theatre
3/2 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues
Again, I have ZERO understanding of all of this and, frankly, I don't even know if the new concert venue was open 'now' if there would have been a way to get a stop on their tour? Who decides whether to play in Iowa or not? Who decides whether to play in Omaha, NE, or not? What about the south? Who decided to not play any dates in Arkansas, Mississippi, or Alabama? Who decided to play no dates in Florida or North Carolina but to play a gig in Virginia?
Again, I have ZERO understanding of all of this.
Link: I've Ranted about this FOR YEARS... That ends in 2019
Editor's Note: Found this article from 2012: https://www.ascap.com/help/career-development/booking-your-own-tour-a-how-to-guide
Five Covers Offspring
I didn't expect what I hear when I listened to Five Finger Death Punch's cover of the Offspring's "Gone Away" and I am pleasantly surprised.
The original:
The original:
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
A Super Metal Band
I'm disqualified because I am not "BETWEEN AGES 18 TO 27" and I can't wish to be younger just because I want to be younger. Good luck to this kid - it sounds like "Charlie" has a vision for his Ideal Band and I am being as sincere as possible when I say I hope that he finds the other players he seeks and actually does get this project past the "idea" stage. These are the details of Charlie's vision:
I read that ad and thought about how being in a band used to be about getting together with some buddies in a basement or a garage, plugging in some amps, setting up the drums, and playing tunes that either had been created together or tunes that influenced the musicians in the room. There are many examples of that across many bands in many genres so I'm not just some old 48 year-old in Iowa reminiscing about what used to be the way a band was formed. Certainly, I embrace technology; I embrace the idea of leveraging technology to do amazing things. Perhaps Charlie sought to find other musicians in "south florida" and came up empty. I am 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, 6 days (1215 days) into my own search for an "Ideal Band" and, after many false hopes, I guess I could reasonably state that I have come up empty, thus far. Even the last hope I had - back around Thanksgiving for a Foo Fighters cover band - seems to have been added to the list of the bands I wanted to join but, for one reason or another, it did not happen.
Editor's Note: This post has the "Ideal Band" label, but it is not an "Ideal Band" - it was the closest label available.
I read that ad and thought about how being in a band used to be about getting together with some buddies in a basement or a garage, plugging in some amps, setting up the drums, and playing tunes that either had been created together or tunes that influenced the musicians in the room. There are many examples of that across many bands in many genres so I'm not just some old 48 year-old in Iowa reminiscing about what used to be the way a band was formed. Certainly, I embrace technology; I embrace the idea of leveraging technology to do amazing things. Perhaps Charlie sought to find other musicians in "south florida" and came up empty. I am 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, 6 days (1215 days) into my own search for an "Ideal Band" and, after many false hopes, I guess I could reasonably state that I have come up empty, thus far. Even the last hope I had - back around Thanksgiving for a Foo Fighters cover band - seems to have been added to the list of the bands I wanted to join but, for one reason or another, it did not happen.
Editor's Note: This post has the "Ideal Band" label, but it is not an "Ideal Band" - it was the closest label available.
Relinquish Title
I really thought Dolph Ziggler was a great member of the WWE Universe - I hope he is not gone.
As the video above says, I (personally) think this is all a pre-planned storyline. At least I hope so...
As the video above says, I (personally) think this is all a pre-planned storyline. At least I hope so...
Only $5800
This is an awesome set I saw on the Craigslist > omaha > for sale > musical instruments - by owner:
Please support Locally owned shops that give back to your community.
We are the ONLY Locally owned instrument shop that offers kids programs like earn a bike / instrument.
Our prices and service are the best around and 100% of the sale goes back to our project!
we have played every drum set out there and this is the best we have every seen and played.
Top of the line made in USA Walnut Stave construction.
Brand new! just got in after 6 month wait.
each one build to order.
Hendrix drums
we are Nebraskas only dealer and the only shop to have one in stock for over 1000 miles.
shell pack = 14 snare, 10,12 toms, 14,16 floor toms, 22 kick.
Best to text just hit reply tab.
All items I have listed are available so please DO NOT ask that just wastes time.
TLJ
Apparently, I'm in the minority: I saw "The Last Jedi" last night with Megan and I truly wonder if these dudes / dudettes and I saw the same film. These 11 videos below ARE FULL of HATE and FULL of SPOILERS so click away if you haven't seen the movie.
My short review is I really liked the movie. There's a scene where something that has never happened in a Star Wars film happens and the theater was silent except for the woman behind us who said, "Oh shit!" I turned and gave her the thumbs up sign. It was very awesome and I loved that scene.
I find it kind of funny how fans have waited forever to see the movie, it comes out, and there's all this discontent because it wasn't made in their image. I liken it to how fans had waited forever to see Batman fight Superman on the big screen, it comes out, and there's all this discontent because it wasn't made in their image. Then, with Justice League, with a distinctly different tone, there's all this discontent because it was too much of a departure from the previous movie that everyone hated.
I will likely go see the movie again. Here's a collection of hate:
The following is from the above video:
My short review is I really liked the movie. There's a scene where something that has never happened in a Star Wars film happens and the theater was silent except for the woman behind us who said, "Oh shit!" I turned and gave her the thumbs up sign. It was very awesome and I loved that scene.
I find it kind of funny how fans have waited forever to see the movie, it comes out, and there's all this discontent because it wasn't made in their image. I liken it to how fans had waited forever to see Batman fight Superman on the big screen, it comes out, and there's all this discontent because it wasn't made in their image. Then, with Justice League, with a distinctly different tone, there's all this discontent because it was too much of a departure from the previous movie that everyone hated.
I will likely go see the movie again. Here's a collection of hate:
The following is from the above video:
Copying Status @ 6 AM
This was the status of my 'copy' from g:\music_shell to b:\music_shell @ 6 AM today:
It's great to see progression!
It's great to see progression!
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Great Tune
I love how this video shows that the dude has Bayside's "Cult" album - one of my favorite CDs.
Monday, December 18, 2017
Foo Christmas
Digging the "Linus & Lucy" clip.
At first, this tune wasn't clicking with me, but upon more listens, it's growing on me. I like it better than the "Run" single that Rock 108 plays a lot.
At first, this tune wasn't clicking with me, but upon more listens, it's growing on me. I like it better than the "Run" single that Rock 108 plays a lot.
Friday, December 15, 2017
There's a WWE PPV on Sunday - do I care?
I don't order WWE PPV events and I don't watch SmackDown on Tuesdays so, honestly, this PPV doesn't have my interest. I'll read the results and such, but eh, it's only mildly interesting to read the predictions for Sunday's WWE PPV called "Clash of Champions".
Opinions are like
From https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/star-wars-the-last-jedi-2017
Still looking forward to Tuesday!
Still looking forward to Tuesday!
#95 on the list of 100
Betraying the Martyrs' album is number #95 on this list: http://teamrock.com/feature/2017-12-15/metal-hammers-100-best-albums-of-the-year-2017?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20164&utm_term=4815839&utm_content=360594
I like 'em - here's an older tune by them.
The clean vocals reminded me of Since October:
I like 'em - here's an older tune by them.
The clean vocals reminded me of Since October:
Hello Youtube!!
From Metal Hammer's Top 100 Albums Of 2017
Going to listen to as many of these as I can.
100) Hey Colossus – The Guillotine
99) Rebirth Of Nefast – Tabernaculum
98) Bokassa – Divide & Conquer
97) Forgotten Tomb – We Owe You Nothing
96) Implore – Subjugate
95) Betraying The Martyrs – The Resilient
94) The Night Flight Orchestra – Amber Galactic
93) Hallatar – No More Stars Upon The Bridge
92) R.I.P – In The Wind
91) Botanist – Collective: The Shape Of He To Come
90) Blaze Bayley – Endure And Survive
89) Arugs – From Fields Of Fire
88) Necromandus – Necromandus
87) Pagan Altar – The Room Of Shadows
86) Primus – The Desaturating Seven
85) Septicflesh – Codex Omega
84) Ufomammut – 8
83) Comeback Kid – Outsider
82) Förgjord – Uhripuu
81) Circle – Terminal
80) Helheim – Landawarijar
79) H.E.A.T – Into The Great Unknown
78) Integrity – Howling, For The Nightmare Shall Consume
77) Ho99o9 – United States Of Horror
76) Caligula’s Horse – In Contact
75) August Burns Red – Phantom Anthem
74) Battle Beast – Bringer Of Pain
73) Papa Roach – Crooked Teeth
72) Fleurety – The White Death
71) Cannibal Corpse – Red Before Black
70) The Haunted – Strength In Numbers
69) Nicole Sabouné – Miman
68) Ghost Bath – Starmourner
67) Sons Of Apollo – Psychotic Symphony
66) Dragonforce – Reaching Into Infinity
65) Oxbow – Thin Black Duke
64) Tchornobog – Tchornobog
63) Immolation – Atonement
62) Vuur – In This Moment We Are Free – Cities
61) Blood Command – Cult Drugs
60) Iced Earth – Incorruptible
59) Bell Witch – Mirror Reaper
58) Deep Purple – Infinite
57) Darkest Hour – Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora
56) Thy Art Is Murder – Dear Desolation
55) Akercocke – Renaissance In Extremis
54) The Bronx – V
53) Disperse – Foreword
52) The Great Discord – The Rabbit Hole
51) Mutoid Man – War Moans
50) Accept – The Rise Of Chaos
49) Whoredom Rife – Dommedagskvad
48) Alice Cooper – Paranormal
47) Here Lies Man – Here Lies Man
46) Cradle Of Filth – Cryptoriana – The Seductiveness of Decay
45) Horisont -– About Time
44) Wear Your Wounds – WYW
43) Threshold – Legends Of The Shire
42) Elder – Reflections Of A Floating World
41) AFI – AFI (The Blood Album)
40) Arch Enemy – Will To Power
39) Stray From The Path – Only Death Is Real
38) The Lurking Fear – Out Of The Voiceless Grave
37) Northlane – Mesmer
36) At The Drive-In – In.ter.a.li.a
35) Body Count – Bloodlust
34) Power Trip – Nightmare Logic
33) Full Of Hell – Trumpeting Ecstasy
32) Spectral Voice – Eroded Corridors Of Unbeing
31) Perturbator – New Model
30) The Contortionist – Clairvoyant
29) The Ruins Of Beverast – Exuvia
28) Sikth – The Future In Whose Eyes?
27) Prophets Of Rage – Prophets Of Rage
26) Trivium – The Sin And The Sentence
25) Royal Thunder – Wick
24) Amenra – Mass VI
23) Employed To Serve – The Warmth Of A Dying
22) Satyricon – Deep Calleth Upon Deep
21) Sólstafir – Berdreyminn
20) The Obsessed – Sacred
19) Ulver – The Assassination Of Julius Caesar
18) Kreator – Gods Of Violence
17) Creeper – Eternity, In Your Arms
16) Leprous – Malina
15) Anathema – The Optimist
14) Marilyn Manson – Heaven Upside Down
13) Pallbearer – Heartless
12) The Black Dahlia Murder – Nightbringers
11) Wolves In The Throne Room – Thrice Woven
10) Converge – The Dusk In Us
9) Paradise Lost – Medusa
8) While She Sleeps – You Are We
7) Chelsea Wolfe – Hiss Spun
6) Grave Pleasures – Motherblood
5) Zeal & Ardor – Devil Is Fine
4) Enslaved – E
3) Code Orange – Forever
2) Myrkur – Mareridt
1) Mastodon – Emperor Of Sand
Going to listen to as many of these as I can.
No Sense
When counting how many pieces are in a drum set, the cymbals are not included. It's the way it's always been. A five piece drum set means there are five drums; a seven piece drum set means there are seven drums. Cymbals are never included in the number of pieces. It's been this way since at least 1980 when I began playing drums. Yet, there is a music store in Dubuque, Iowa, called "Uncle Ike's Music & Sound" that included this picture in their email:
I like Uncle Ike's Music & Sound. I have spent money there but calling the above an "8-piece electronic drum set" is wrong.
I like Uncle Ike's Music & Sound. I have spent money there but calling the above an "8-piece electronic drum set" is wrong.
Only 4 Days!!
Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi is released today!! And, in only 4 MORE days, Megan and I are going to go see the movie. We are going to the Coral Ridge Mall on Tuesday because movies are $5.
Net Neutraility
Listening to this makes net neutrality make more sense: We Are All Going To Die!!! (2017-12-14 Erick Erickson podcast)
Republicans may have 'awoken a sleeping giant' by repealing net neutrality
BREAKING: FCC's net neutrality vote delayed due to security threat
Net Neutrality 'Hysteria' Is Misplaced: FCC Chairman Hits Back at Jimmy Kimmel
Republicans may have 'awoken a sleeping giant' by repealing net neutrality
BREAKING: FCC's net neutrality vote delayed due to security threat
Net Neutrality 'Hysteria' Is Misplaced: FCC Chairman Hits Back at Jimmy Kimmel
Trauma for the Kids
I don't tend to write a lot about what my kids are going through in life - I tend to use my private journal for pondering those thoughts but today, I want to capture how something that impacted me has really impacted the kids as well, specifically Alex.
I left work yesterday so I could be home when the kids got home from UNI for Christmas break. I had bad news to tell them - that their grandma, and my Favorite Mother-in-Law, was in surgery at UIHC. We had made the decision to not tell them about this because they had finals Monday - Thursday and we wanted them to concentrate on their academics. It was a decision we made about a month ago and pretty much each day, either I or Karen pondered whether it was the right decision. We struggled with the idea of 'hiding' information from the kids and whether we, as kids, would want to know what was happening and, if we did know and we were in their shoes, with finals, would we be able to concentrate on our studying and test prep or would we be sucked into worrying and fretting about the surgery. Ultimately, we feel we made the right choice but I just wanted to document it wasn't an easy choice.
Fast forward to yesterday and I am home when the kids get home. Megan noticed that both cars were in the garage - Karen & my father-in-law had taken his car to UIHC & I had taken the 2005 GMC Canyon to work so that meant both the 2016 Chevy Equinox & the 2007 Ford F-150 were in the garage. She immediately questioned why we were both home. I said, "I need to talk to you both." There was a panic in Megan's voice as she told Alex to get inside because "Dad has to talk to us." When Alex came in to the kitchen, he had kind of a pale look on his face - I could tell he knew something was wrong because there I was, at home at 1:45ish PM, when I am usually at work.
I can't remember each and every word I said to them as I told them about the surgery. It was very difficult to tell them. I would never wish having to tell your children what I told mine on anyone.
Eventually, we had Megan's car unloaded and were in route, in the 2005 GMC Canyon, to UIHC. It was my job to drop them off at UIHC because I had to go back to work for a meeting about my disaster recovery documentation with my manager's manager and other Senior Directors in my department. The meeting I needed to attend is an important meeting. It is scheduled to be once a month, but it had been canceled the last 3 months (September, October, & November) so with the December meeting not cancelled, I felt it was critically important for me to be present to provide an update because - make no mistake - it's my meeting to report to upper management on a monthly basis about how my work has been progressing. I have never really had a monthly status meeting with senior leadership at any other time in my career as a technical writer. I fully realize how valuable it is to have their collective ear.
I wrote all of the above to set up the following revelation: why Alex thought I was home when they got home. He thought it was because I had been laid off from work. I know that being told the Unnamed Hellhole in southern Iowa and I were going to part ways in April 2011 and then that being told Pearson had eliminated my position in January 2016 wasn't easy for me. Call me selfish, but until Alex told me that was his first thought, I never realized that what had happened to me had made a very strong impression upon him.
As for how my Favorite Mother-in-Law is doing, she made it through her surgery. She seemed in good spirits when I talked to her in her hospital room, which was shortly before I drove my father-in-law & the kids home. Karen was going to stay with her at UIHC while the rest of Karen's family was going to be returning to Dubuque or Blue Grass. Only my brother-in-law Mark from Cedar Falls stayed at our house, mainly because they are doing renovations to their house in Cedar Falls and the workers come early (7 AM) so he knew he would get more sleep at my house than if he drove 1.5 hours back to Cedar Falls and then was awakened to the workers at 7 AM. We didn't get back to my house until after 11 PM.
And yet, there I was, leaving the house at 6:10 AM today. I told the kids I didn't care who did what, but the dishwasher needed to be emptied and the clean clothes in the laundry room needed to be put away - most of them are either mine or Karen's but since I was sleeping in our bed, I couldn't really put them on our bed and not expect a mess in the morning. It felt funny (to me) to tell my two college student children that they had tasks they have done for many years assigned to them. It was why I think coming home was a cause of trauma for the kids - being assigned chores by their parent when they are in college.
I left work yesterday so I could be home when the kids got home from UNI for Christmas break. I had bad news to tell them - that their grandma, and my Favorite Mother-in-Law, was in surgery at UIHC. We had made the decision to not tell them about this because they had finals Monday - Thursday and we wanted them to concentrate on their academics. It was a decision we made about a month ago and pretty much each day, either I or Karen pondered whether it was the right decision. We struggled with the idea of 'hiding' information from the kids and whether we, as kids, would want to know what was happening and, if we did know and we were in their shoes, with finals, would we be able to concentrate on our studying and test prep or would we be sucked into worrying and fretting about the surgery. Ultimately, we feel we made the right choice but I just wanted to document it wasn't an easy choice.
Fast forward to yesterday and I am home when the kids get home. Megan noticed that both cars were in the garage - Karen & my father-in-law had taken his car to UIHC & I had taken the 2005 GMC Canyon to work so that meant both the 2016 Chevy Equinox & the 2007 Ford F-150 were in the garage. She immediately questioned why we were both home. I said, "I need to talk to you both." There was a panic in Megan's voice as she told Alex to get inside because "Dad has to talk to us." When Alex came in to the kitchen, he had kind of a pale look on his face - I could tell he knew something was wrong because there I was, at home at 1:45ish PM, when I am usually at work.
I can't remember each and every word I said to them as I told them about the surgery. It was very difficult to tell them. I would never wish having to tell your children what I told mine on anyone.
Eventually, we had Megan's car unloaded and were in route, in the 2005 GMC Canyon, to UIHC. It was my job to drop them off at UIHC because I had to go back to work for a meeting about my disaster recovery documentation with my manager's manager and other Senior Directors in my department. The meeting I needed to attend is an important meeting. It is scheduled to be once a month, but it had been canceled the last 3 months (September, October, & November) so with the December meeting not cancelled, I felt it was critically important for me to be present to provide an update because - make no mistake - it's my meeting to report to upper management on a monthly basis about how my work has been progressing. I have never really had a monthly status meeting with senior leadership at any other time in my career as a technical writer. I fully realize how valuable it is to have their collective ear.
I wrote all of the above to set up the following revelation: why Alex thought I was home when they got home. He thought it was because I had been laid off from work. I know that being told the Unnamed Hellhole in southern Iowa and I were going to part ways in April 2011 and then that being told Pearson had eliminated my position in January 2016 wasn't easy for me. Call me selfish, but until Alex told me that was his first thought, I never realized that what had happened to me had made a very strong impression upon him.
As for how my Favorite Mother-in-Law is doing, she made it through her surgery. She seemed in good spirits when I talked to her in her hospital room, which was shortly before I drove my father-in-law & the kids home. Karen was going to stay with her at UIHC while the rest of Karen's family was going to be returning to Dubuque or Blue Grass. Only my brother-in-law Mark from Cedar Falls stayed at our house, mainly because they are doing renovations to their house in Cedar Falls and the workers come early (7 AM) so he knew he would get more sleep at my house than if he drove 1.5 hours back to Cedar Falls and then was awakened to the workers at 7 AM. We didn't get back to my house until after 11 PM.
And yet, there I was, leaving the house at 6:10 AM today. I told the kids I didn't care who did what, but the dishwasher needed to be emptied and the clean clothes in the laundry room needed to be put away - most of them are either mine or Karen's but since I was sleeping in our bed, I couldn't really put them on our bed and not expect a mess in the morning. It felt funny (to me) to tell my two college student children that they had tasks they have done for many years assigned to them. It was why I think coming home was a cause of trauma for the kids - being assigned chores by their parent when they are in college.
Look Quick Before
It's not often when I can tag a post with the labels "technical writing" AND "politics" but today is the day!
Thursday, December 14, 2017
He Got Took
Man's Data Recovery Dilemma Costs Hundreds
I really REALLY need to get signed up for BackBlaze to back up all my external hard drives for $5 a month! Editor's Note: Update to the statement above pertaining to it being necessary to "get signed up for Backblaze to back up all my external hard drives for $5 a month" - I did sign up for BackBlaze and when it came time to renew, I did not do so. There were issues that their tech support could not resolve.
Also, there is a video embedded above this note from NBC News. It is coded differently than when a video is embedded from YouTube.com in that the space is empty when editing and only when "previewing" the post is it viewable.
I really REALLY need to get signed up for BackBlaze to back up all my external hard drives for $5 a month! Editor's Note: Update to the statement above pertaining to it being necessary to "get signed up for Backblaze to back up all my external hard drives for $5 a month" - I did sign up for BackBlaze and when it came time to renew, I did not do so. There were issues that their tech support could not resolve.
Also, there is a video embedded above this note from NBC News. It is coded differently than when a video is embedded from YouTube.com in that the space is empty when editing and only when "previewing" the post is it viewable.
I will Not Commute to Moline Daily
Manager, Public Relations & Social Media
John Deere 1,618 reviews - Moline, IL 61265
Title: 50751038 - Manager, Public Relations & Social Media - 35922
Primary Location: United States (US) - Illinois (US-IL) - Moline
Organizational Group: PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Personnel Area: 9000 - World Hdq
Function: Communication
GJE Job Title: Manager, Public Relations II
Job Grade: 10
Exemption Status: Exempt
Hiring Manager: Kenneth B Golden
Employee Referral Bonus: $2,000.00
Your Responsibilities
As Manager, Public Relations and Social Media , you will help protect and enhance John Deere’s reputation by leveraging social media and traditional communication strategies and tools. You will lead and align the enterprise social media program with the company's Strategic Public Relations activities and objectives. In addition, you will:
Provide leadership and counsel for social media activities globally to individuals, teams, councils, and external agencies working on behalf of Deere at the division, region, or country level with an objective to ensure consistency of approach, process and message.
Manage the enterprise social media team and external agency and facilitate consistent use of the company’s content management system, processes, policies, and rapid response process.
Lead development of and provide counsel for social media content and projects that help build the corporate brand or market products, services or events.
Research and deploy new features of various social media platforms used by the enterprise social media program and research and recommend potential new platforms, if needed.
Ensure alignment of the enterprise social media program’s processes, practices, and content with legal, compliance, regulatory and other corporate concerns.
Manage a paid promotion social media strategy to enhance the overall visibility of company messaging.
Ensure that employees who are assigned social media responsibilities throughout the global Deere enterprise receive on-boarding and training in the tools and processes of the enterprise social media program.
Lead social media activities as needed for crisis and issues communication.
Assist in implementation of various social and traditional strategic public relations activities.
US visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
What Skills You Need
4+ years of experience with responsibility for developing and executing communication plans.
4+ years of experience working in brand management, marketing communications, employee communications or a related field.
3+ years of experience in a position requiring effective writing skills related to corporate communications, public relations, marketing communications, employee communications or journalism.
4+ years of experience working in business communications.
2+ years of experience developing or managing digital content or managing a digital or social media platform.
W hat Makes You Stand Out
4+ years writing experience in public relations, journalism, or company communications.
4+ years of managing successful projects related to communications.
4+ years of broad background in business within or outside the company.
Experience in protecting and enhancing brand and reputation of an organization.
Marketing or communications campaign experience.
Experience as a public spokesperson.
Experience working on cross-functional projects and initiatives.
Education (or equivalent experience)
Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to Communications, Journalism or Marketing or equivalent experience.
What You'll Get
At John Deere, you are empowered to create a career that will take you to where you want to go. Here, you'll enjoy the freedom to explore new projects, the support to think outside the box and the advanced tools and technology that foster innovation and achievement. We offer comprehensive relocation and reward packages to help you get started on your new career path. Click here to find out more about our Total Rewards Package.
The information contained herein is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of individuals performing the job. The qualifications detailed in this job description are not considered the minimum requirements necessary to perform the job, but rather as guidelines.
John Deere is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
Synched!
I was relieved to come in to work today and find the following:
It feels good to know I have a backup of my music!
It feels good to know I have a backup of my music!
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
I Love This
My Ludwig drums have a 13" mounted tom & two 16" floor toms. I would love to have the two drums in this ad, but I'm not in Boston & and I'm not going to pay $525 for two drums.
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